By Kent Huffman
I first met artist Amy Voss about two years ago when I happened to stumble across some of her creations on Google. I was so impressed with her work that I contacted Amy to ask if she would be willing to create a custom glass sculpture for an upcoming professional fishing tournament and music festival in Wood County that would take place at Caney Point Recreation Area on the shores of Lake Fork in East Texas. After several discussions, she agreed to design and produce two glass “axes” (guitars) for the event—one as a “trophy” for the eventual Bassmaster tournament winner and another as a thank you gift for the entertainer who would headline the event: Country music superstar Neal McCoy.
I quickly learned that Amy is no stranger when it comes to creating unique works of art for a variety of celebrities, sports stars, musicians, “ordinary” individuals, and organizations. Her resume includes custom glass guitars inspired by high-profile names and brands like Prince, Morgan Wallen, Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, The Who, Jimmy Buffet, Queen, David Bowie, Rush, Foo Fighters, Kiss, and BMG Records, just to name a few.
Originally from Houston, Amy is a graduate of SMU in Dallas. After college, she worked in the entertainment industry, as Southwest Promotions Director for Lyric Street Records, Affiliate Relations Director for ESPN Radio, and then ABC Television network. After leaving her 10-year corporate career to take on the joys (and challenges) of motherhood, Amy discovered her passion for working with glass, an activity that channeled her love of music into an art form.
A self-taught artist, Amy experimented with various approaches before she landed on her signature style: One-of-a-kind glass sculptures that incorporate the body of a guitar as the canvas—a natural fit for her bold and expressive work. In 2009, Amy launched Glass Axes to both sell bespoke works and educate potential customers about her process. Many of Amy’s guitar sculptures have since been acquired by private collectors, including entertainer Katy Perry and other renowned entertainment industry notables. Her guitars have also been purchased by various hotels, restaurants, and other types of businesses to adorn the walls of their establishments.
The Process of Creating Guitar Art
To create a guitar art sculpture—or “glass axe”—Amy works in painstaking detail to apply small pieces of glass, glass “frit,” grout, and resin (and sometimes additional details such as gold leaf) to a guitar’s body and neck. Amy’s process starts by prepping an acoustic guitar by stripping off the strings and bridge and preparing the surface for glass and adhesive. From sheets of glass, she cuts various shapes and sizes by hand and lays out each piece on the guitar canvas to define the primary design. Next, using a Dremel rotary tool, Amy smooths the rough edges.
After the initial design is intact, she applies “frit” (ultra-fine particles of glass) in careful layers to create depth and texture. The frit process is hyper-detailed and requires precise application with small tools—such as a toothpick—to manipulate the glass. Typically, Amy also uses grout, finely applied with a paintbrush, to unite the design. Next, residual grout is meticulously removed from the surface with a toothpick and a lint-free cloth. Finally, grouted edges are reinforced with resin, and the piece is complete. Each guitar can take up to 80 hours from start to finish! Check out the video.
Glass Guitars for Self-Expression
One-of-a-kind glass sculptures that incorporate the body of an acoustic guitar as the canvas is a natural fit for bold and expressive work. And Amy is passionate about discovering new ways to hone her craft. At times, she has incorporated gold leaf into the background of some of her designs to add a subtle shimmer. Most recently, she started using electric guitars in addition to her original acoustic guitars to create unique guitar art sculptures.
Amy’s one-of-a-kind glass sculptures incorporate a variety of objects beyond just guitars to create bold and expressive work. You may see objects like skateboards, wakeboards, surfboards, tables, and more.
“Beyond their initial interest, my glass guitar art sculptures symbolize the essence of self-expression. The goal is to create unique pieces of abstract glass art that speak to you,” said Amy. “These guitars that can hang in your home will be reminders of music that has brought you joy, memories from a vacation, or simply be pleasing to look at each day. Our homes are more than just four walls with a roof; instead, our homes are where we live our lives every day. So they should be filled with art that brings us joy!”
Critical Acclaim for “Glass Axes”
Amy has been featured in various media outlets, including Canvas Rebel, Voyage Dallas, Bold Journey, Jeff Crilley Show, D Magazine, and more.
But most important, it was a huge honor when Amy was invited to exhibit her creations at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, France! Every year, this curated art exhibit showcases 100 of the very best emerging artists and international galleries from around the world. Amy said, “I was delighted, humbled, and honored to participate in this important event. It was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience!”
Commissioned Art
These guitars that can hang in your home will be reminders of music that has brought you joy. And just like a musician picks up a guitar and lets their soul burst forth in a harmonious symphony, these sculptures are a celebration of individuality, creativity, and the bold pursuit of dreams.
As an artist, Amy loves the challenge of using unique colors, designs, and materials to create pieces that evoke feeling and awe. “If you have an idea you’d like brought to life and showcased in your home or place of business, you can request a commissioned piece by emailing me directly at mailto:amyvoss@yahoo.com.”
You can view some of Amy’s unique glass creations “up close and personal” at the following locations in Texas:
- Hotel Drover in Fort Worth
- Wright at Home in Fort Worth
- Brumbaugh’s Furniture & Design in Aledo
- Rustic Art Gallery in Mineola
Amy currently resides in Dallas. Her website is GlassAxes.com.