Paul Stankard and Rick Ayotte Fertile Nectar Signed Hand Blown Glass Round Paperweight with Frog, Bee

Artist: Paul Stankard and Rick Ayotte
Title: Fertile Nectar
Medium: Hand Blown Glass
Size: 2 1/2" x 3"
Year: 1999
Inscription: Signed 'Paul J. Stankard 1999 Rick Ayotte'
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity

"Fertile Nectar" is a captivating hand blown glass paperweight created by the celebrated glass artists Paul J. Stankard and Rick Ayotte in 1999. This hand blown glass sculpture, measuring 2 1/2 inches in height and 3 inches in diameter, is signed and dated by both artists, marking it as a unique collaboration between two masters of glass artistry.

The glass paperweight presents a mesmerizing tableau of natural beauty, encapsulating a miniature ecosystem within its rounded form. At the center, a vibrant scene unfolds with a delicate frog, a hovering bee, colorful flowers, and lifelike blueberries. Intricately detailed spiders and Stankard's signature root people add a whimsical and enchanting touch to the composition. Each element is meticulously crafted with extraordinary attention to detail, bringing a stunning realism to the piece.

The use of vibrant colors and precise textures creates a lifelike and dynamic scene that invites closer inspection. The harmonious blend of Stankard's and Ayotte's styles results in a piece that is both artistically profound and technically impressive. "Fertile Nectar" is a testament to the artist's ability to transform glass into a vivid and enchanting representation of nature, making it a treasured addition to any collection of fine glass art.

The work is signed by both artists: 'Paul J. Stankard 1999 Rick Ayotte' and includes a gallery certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact.

About Paul Stankard

Paul Stankard has revolutionized the paperweight and made a name for himself as one of the most talented glass artists in the world. He is crediting with elevating the paperweight from an office supply to the level of fine art, with his work now showcase in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C., the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Louvre in Paris.

Born in 1943, Stankard began his glass career working as a glassblower making scientific instruments. In 1969, he began experimenting with paperweights in a quest to use his technical proficiency in glass blowing for something more creative. The technique Paul Stankard used created botanicals inside the paperweights with such hyper-realism that many people thought the paperweights included actual flowers. Stankard creates each element of the paperweight individually, paying close attention to every detail from color to texture before assembling the final product. His work takes in the entire scope of nature, extending far beyond placing a pretty floral bloom in a paperweight: he often includes insects, roots, and complete natural systems. While the majority of popular glass artists in the world today create modern work, Stankard's classical and timeless designs created with stunning realism allow his work to stand out.

The spiritual element of botany plays an important role in Stankard's work. He emphasizes that beauty can be found in unexpected places. In addition to being a glass artist, Paul Stankard is also a prolific author who has written several poems, articles, and two books.