Michael Steeler (aka Mermonkey) was first drawn to the world of lampworking while working as a carpenter in 1999. While building a glass shop for a client he decided that he would gladly take his pay in lessons. After an apprenticeship he set up a shop in his house so that he could be at home with his daughter, his wife, and his torch. While supporting his family with his craft he has worked on finding a voice to express his creativity. Michael’s art is primarily concerned with the expression of emotion through a balance of traditional form and controlled chaos. “One of my favorite things about working with glass is the manner in which the material collaborates with the artist to affect the final outcome.” In glass Michael has found a means of expressing the beauty that he finds within the human condition.
