Bishop Randall

Poet and Glass Artist

Bishop Randall is a North American poet and glass artist living in the Yuba watershed, at 3000' just above the south fork of the Yuba river, along the Montezuma ridge. Carrying on in that unnamed school that follows a transcendental lineage of left coast coyote poetics and craft tradition, dating back at least 10,000, that loosely includes members such as Dale Pendell, William Morris, and Gary Snyder. "Old Man Coyote, tattooed head to toe, sits on the mountain top smoking his pipe, since before the before, and until after the after", (Nisenan lore). His soon-to-be-released book of poems, "Animal Droppings," has been described as "Drawing from spirit, a resurgence of collective thought that the place itself has been waiting to be retold. The ending of a time, forgotten tools, medicine, songs of healing, the vision of what might come next, through the lens of everyday life.

His glasswork is created using the lampworking process, a technique that involves shaping and manipulating glass rods and tubes using a torch. Bishop crafts intricate and beautiful glass pieces using borosilicate glass (Pyrex), a material prized for both its durability and versatility, to reflect his connection to the natural world. Borosilicate glass allows for intricate and detailed designs that can withstand the elements compared to traditional types of glass objects. Additionally, Randall utilizes sandblasting techniques to create a matte finish on some of his pieces, giving them a soft, organic quality that resembles stone, pottery, or other natural materials. This process adds depth and texture to his work, further emphasizing his commitment in service to place.

With 20 years of experience, Bishop has taught and lectured nationally and internationally, recently at the Flint Institute of Art, sharing his expertise and passion for glass art. His dedication to education and community engagement has made him a respected figure in the world of art.