Paper: Detroit Free Press (MI) Deceased: BLAIR REED: ARTIST LEFT LEGACY IN GLASS SCULPTURE Date: February 6, 2002 Blair Reed made paneled glass sculptures, and his works grace homes, restaurants and other buildings around southeastern Michigan and across the world.
He worked in intaglio, which involves digging into the glass to give it a deep texture, and etching.
Mr. Reed died Saturday in Rochester Hills. He was 52 and lived in Bloomfield Township.
"He loved mountain biking and enjoyed camping and communing with nature," his sister Patricia said Tuesday. "He spent a lot of time traveling in the National Forests . . . and he would observe nature and incorporate that in his work.
"The Henry Ford piece, for example is a pond scene that includes great blue herons and lily pads. But he was an agile artist, and he could do abstracts, too."
She was talking about Mr. Reed's work at the Ford hospital in West Bloomfield. He also had an abstract work at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn and a wine-making scene at the Opus One restaurant in Detroit. His works appear at the SAS Institute, a software outfit in Cary, N.C., and at sites in Spain and China.
He was often commissioned to make gifts for people, including awards handed out by the Tavy Stone Fashion Library at the Detroit Historical Museum. More recently, he was commissioned to do a glass work for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the New York Democrat.
He was born in Detroit and grew up in the city, attending Cass Tech High School and graduating from Lakeview High School in 1967, when the Vietnam War was raging.
"He did a tour in Da Nang and was largely stationed in Cam Ranh Bay," his sister said. "He worked managing stevedores in the handling of cargo and once led a convoy through Da Nang."
He left the Army as a sergeant.
Back home, he went to Wayne State University and an art school in Baltimore, Md., then studied at the Pilchuck Glass School near Seattle.
Returning to Michigan, he worked briefly for General Motors Corp., then turned to full-time work as an artist.
"He made a living at it for 20-plus years," his sister said.
Besides her, survivors include his parents, Allan and Yvonne; another sister, Pamela Demey, and a brother, Robert.
The funeral will be at noon today at the Kaul Funeral Home, 28433 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores.
Contact JEANNE MAY at 586-469-4682or may@freepress.com. Author: JEANNE MAY FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER Section: OBT; OBITUARY Page: 5B Copyright (c) 2002 Detroit Free Press (ksk found this online)
During the funeral visitation, Blair's family brought in quite a few pieces of his Art. We displayed the glass pieces around our chapel, Visitors from the other funeral chapels came to view all of his masterpieces, such a beautiful gift! It was like walking into a museum instead of a Funeral Home, I can say that I will always remember the talent that Blair shared through his expressions
Blair was a friend of mine until his death. I am still mad at him that he didn't ask for help and that I let my phone messages go unanswered, I know that Blair blamed himself for his brother Billy's death. Blair had artistic talent and I and many of his friends have works of his which are treasured. This last week (Feb.2nd) marked his passing. Many times his friends meet and go to a place in which his art is shown as a rememberance. If ever you are at H. Ford W.Bloomfield,go downstairs and see his glass partition. You can tell people that you knew the artist and maybe share a few thoughts with them. This will bring Blair back for just a moments and somewhere, somehow Blair will know
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Karen Sherman (Ketover)
Paper: Detroit Free Press (MI)Deceased: BLAIR REED: ARTIST LEFT LEGACY IN GLASS SCULPTURE
Date: February 6, 2002
Blair Reed made paneled glass sculptures, and his works grace homes, restaurants and other buildings around southeastern Michigan and across the world.
He worked in intaglio, which involves digging into the glass to give it a deep texture, and etching.
Mr. Reed died Saturday in Rochester Hills. He was 52 and lived in Bloomfield Township.
"He loved mountain biking and enjoyed camping and communing with nature," his sister Patricia said Tuesday. "He spent a lot of time traveling in the National Forests . . . and he would observe nature and incorporate that in his work.
"The Henry Ford piece, for example is a pond scene that includes great blue herons and lily pads. But he was an agile artist, and he could do abstracts, too."
She was talking about Mr. Reed's work at the Ford hospital in West Bloomfield. He also had an abstract work at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn and a wine-making scene at the Opus One restaurant in Detroit. His works appear at the SAS Institute, a software outfit in Cary, N.C., and at sites in Spain and China.
He was often commissioned to make gifts for people, including awards handed out by the Tavy Stone Fashion Library at the Detroit Historical Museum. More recently, he was commissioned to do a glass work for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the New York Democrat.
He was born in Detroit and grew up in the city, attending Cass Tech High School and graduating from Lakeview High School in 1967, when the Vietnam War was raging.
"He did a tour in Da Nang and was largely stationed in Cam Ranh Bay," his sister said. "He worked managing stevedores in the handling of cargo and once led a convoy through Da Nang."
He left the Army as a sergeant.
Back home, he went to Wayne State University and an art school in Baltimore, Md., then studied at the Pilchuck Glass School near Seattle.
Returning to Michigan, he worked briefly for General Motors Corp., then turned to full-time work as an artist.
"He made a living at it for 20-plus years," his sister said.
Besides her, survivors include his parents, Allan and Yvonne; another sister, Pamela Demey, and a brother, Robert.
The funeral will be at noon today at the Kaul Funeral Home, 28433 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores.
Contact JEANNE MAY at 586-469-4682or may@freepress.com.
Author: JEANNE MAY FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Section: OBT; OBITUARY
Page: 5B
Copyright (c) 2002 Detroit Free Press
(ksk found this online)
Steve Smark
During the funeral visitation, Blair's family brought in quite a few pieces of his Art. We displayed the glass pieces around our chapel, Visitors from the other funeral chapels came to view all of his masterpieces, such a beautiful gift! It was like walking into a museum instead of a Funeral Home, I can say that I will always remember the talent that Blair shared through his expressionsWalter Sugierski
Blair was a friend of mine until his death. I am still mad at him that he didn't ask for help and that I let my phone messages go unanswered, I know that Blair blamed himself for his brother Billy's death. Blair had artistic talent and I and many of his friends have works of his which are treasured. This last week (Feb.2nd) marked his passing. Many times his friends meet and go to a place in which his art is shown as a rememberance. If ever you are at H. Ford W.Bloomfield,go downstairs and see his glass partition. You can tell people that you knew the artist and maybe share a few thoughts with them. This will bring Blair back for just a moments and somewhere, somehow Blair will know