When Master Artists Learn from Each Other: A VAWAA Story

With over 165 artists spanning 37 countries, VAWAA is more than a platform—it’s a global community united by shared values of creativity, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. While VAWAA connects curious creatives with master artists to learn unique skills, it also provides artists themselves with opportunities to grow, collaborate, and be inspired by others.

Mastery in any craft is a lifelong process: even the most accomplished artists seek fresh ideas, techniques, and perspectives to deepen their work. For VAWAA artists, these connections often spark in remarkable ways, as they learn from their students and from each other, exchanging knowledge and inspiration. Through this global network, master artists push each other to grow, experiment, and evolve. These moments of collaboration and cross-pollination embody the essence of creativity and are a powerful reminder that true mastery is never static, but rather a journey of constant discovery.

Meet Gail and Marta, two innovative VAWAA artists who put VAWAA’s theory of mutual growth into practice. Gail is a Croatia-based sculptor whose practice is deeply rooted in the local stoneworking traditions of the Istrian peninsula. Her VAWAA centers on intuitive, mixed-media stone sculpting.

While browsing the website, she stumbled upon Marta’s VAWAA in Riga, Latvia and was captivated by her unique “bubak” glass fusing technique, honed over years of experimentation. Immediately, she knew it was time to put herself in the shoes of a VAWAA guest.

Left: A stone and metal sculpture crafted by Gail. Right: Marta’s colorful bubak glass sculpture.

For Gail, traveling to Riga wasn’t just about mastering a new craft and learning from her fellow VAWAA artist. It was a chance to expand her artistic horizons, explore the potential of glass as a medium, and immerse herself in Latvian culture. What unfolded between the two artists went beyond technical learning—it became a shared journey of inspiration and discovery, and they have stayed in touch.

We sat down with Marta and Gail to hear about the creative sparks they ignited while working in the studio together.

VAWAA: Gail, since you're known for your work with stone, what drew you to book a VAWAA focused on Glass?

Gail: I had only dabbled with glass before for an experimental project where I had constraints on the size and weight of work I could make. I had to think of something new and be inventive. I didn't have any money at that time, but I had several months to figure it out. I decided to go to the rubbish bin and see what I could find. I collected recycled materials and bits of old windows. I have a friend who works with glass, and he said he could help me repurpose them. He showed me how he approached his work, and I thought I would give glass a try. That was how it all started, and then I just went full-on, cutting shapes and making some molds to get curved forms. I attached sheets of glass with old plastic tubing from the waterworks. I really enjoyed doing it and knew I wanted to continue with glass. But you can't go on forever just experimenting out of nowhere. 

When I saw what Marta was doing, I thought her VAWAA would be the perfect opportunity to learn more. Her process was similar to what I wanted to do but couldn't quite figure out. And, Marta, you showed me your mathematics tricks, the shapes involved, and … woo! The rest is history.

VAWAA: It must have been really special to experience Marta’s unique glass-fusing technique firsthand. What was the most rewarding part of the process?

Gail: It was a push towards a way of working that requires a bit more planning than what I am used to. With stone I do plan, but it’s different: I make a maquette and then I copy it bigger. With [Marta’s “bubak” glass technique], you have to create a detailed work plan. You have to move from 2D, on the flat, to 3D, which can be challenging. But when Marta explained everything and helped me draft a plan, it all made sense. So that clicked with me and it stopped feeling like this totally abstract process. I’ve got my magic bits of paper stored away and I can use them again, it’s fantastic.

Gail practicing the ‘bubak’ glass technique in Marta’s studio.

VAWAA: Both of you have distinct artistic processes. Did your different approaches ever complement each other? If so, how?

Gail: Learning from Marta gave me so much more scope with what I want to do. I felt limited before, and now I feel like I can fly. I wake up in the morning dreaming about huge sculptures. I think everything I make in the future is going to be quite big. After seeing Marta’s work, I might try making something out of colored glass one day, too. And now I feel like my upcoming project in Wales is going to be fun. I feel so much more confident.

VAWAA: Your sculptures already combine various materials, and the addition of glass expands your practice even further. Marta, how was it for you to host and teach another artist working in a different medium?

Marta: It was very easy to work with Gail. She already knew how to think in three dimensions. Sometimes it can be hard for people who don’t work with art or who mostly work with illustrations or drawings to change the way they think, to go from two-dimensions to three-dimensions. But with Gail, it was so easy, especially because she had already tried working with glass. She had already made her first steps and her first mistakes. I really enjoyed my time with her. Gail, I’m so happy you are inspired! It’s amazing!

Gail: Oh yes, absolutely! 

Gail’s 2D glass cutouts before assembly into a 3D form.

VAWAA: Were there moments where you saw your artistic philosophies or approaches click in unexpected ways?

Gail: I have this horror of having to do really small, fiddly things, I’m a bit clumsy, and my eyesight isn’t very good at the moment. There was one day during my VAWAA with Marta where I spent most of the day cutting these really small pieces out of glass. I think there were about 40 in total. And then I had to glue them together with bits of wire in between. But I did it! When the time came to put everything all together, it was much easier than I expected, and it went quite quickly. The biggest surprise for me is that now I’m flying, I’ve so many ideas. I’m wandering around my studio looking at scraps and saying “oh, maybe that could be a form,” and things are jumping out at me all the time. It’s so exciting. I wasn’t expecting that at all. I was just expecting to learn a skill, but I definitely want to continue with this. 

VAWAA: These kinds of experiences are always a two-way exchange. It’s never a one-way exchange. I’m curious, Marta, if there were any moments of learning that might influence your work or your approach? 

Marta: I’m learning so much from this teaching process. I don’t yet know how it will show up in my creative process, but this style of teaching, person by person, gives me so much experience and also teaches me a lot about hospitality. For me, that’s the most interesting part. I pay much more attention to Riga. Hosting makes me look at my city with different eyes. 

Gail’s completed glass project

VAWAA: Gail, was this your first time to Latvia? If so, what did you think of the craft you experienced? Artistically, what’s happening in Latvia?

Gail: I felt a similarity with Slovenia and Latvia. In Slovenia there’s a huge creative scene, and the populations of the two countries are about the same size. Everywhere you go, you spot things and you can walk around for hours and be quite happy, always discovering something new. When I was on the tram going to Marta’s studio, I saw all of these amazing old factories, some of which had been repurposed. There are a lot of possibilities in Riga, and you can feel it. The new architecture was really amazing as well.

VAWAA: Marta, you introduced Gail to other sculptors in Riga. What activities did you both enjoy outside the studio?

Gail: Ah, everything went so quickly!

Marta: I took Gail to meet some Latvian sculptors, one who is a good friend of mine, and one who is very famous. I thought it would be interesting to show professionals who are very different from one another. One of the sculptors mostly works with stone, and the other one works with different materials, like clay. 

Gail: I’d seen the stone sculptor’s work somewhere before, but to see it in real life was great. It was a beautiful, fantastic setting where he was working. The sun was out and it was beautiful! The other artist was lovely too. I appreciated seeing her work, the intimate processes and different ways of thinking.

Gail and Marta in Riga, visiting the studio of a local sculptor.

VAWAA: Both of you have taught VAWAA guests, and Gail, you've had the chance to learn from another VAWAA artist. Marta, I hope you'll have that opportunity soon. From your experiences hosting guests and collaborating with other artists, how has being part of the VAWAA network influenced your creative journey? 

Marta: Teaching opens something new for me.

Gail: Yes, when you teach, you really have to look again at how you make your work. Each time you’re reconfirming or reaffirming or questioning your process. And teaching helps to clarify things too. When people ask you something unexpected, you have to think through and really understand your process. 

VAWAA: I know both of you are part of other communities of artists. But what does it mean to you to be part of this global community, where people from other parts of the world can come and learn from you, and you, artists can learn from each other?

Gail: It opens everything up. It opens the doors to the whole world, to the internet, to connect. Before VAWAA, how would Marta and I have been able to talk like this? Local artist communities are amazing, but funding for culture is suffering and other things need to fill the gaps. VAWAA is one of the organizations doing it. 

Marta: It’s great that people can come and see the process from inside. VAWAA does a very good job introducing people to artistic processes, and it helps artists too. When I talk to people in my community about VAWAA, everyone is so surprised by the possibilities.

VAWAA: We hear it from a lot of people: the respect and admiration they develop for craft after going through this process surprises them. It’s really special, and that’s what we really need, to help people develop an understanding of what it takes to make things by hand. It’s a lot of hard work and it’s a lot of discipline. Plus, it’s scientific and technical work. Even if guests don’t end up becoming a sculptor after going on a sculpture VAWAA, for example, I think people can carry the values that they learn into other types of work as well. Craft teaches values that are just really important for life. 

VAWAA: Given your lovely time together, I’m wondering what advice you would give to other VAWAA artists who might consider collaborating or learning from each other? 

Marta: Don’t be afraid to go somewhere new!

Gail: Keep an open mind, but I suspect they would have an open mind anyway. 

VAWAA: Many artists struggle with financial challenges. Do you have any advice or strategies for navigating these financial realities and overcoming such obstacles?

Gail: I’ve never managed to get it right until now! Just go for it and maybe be a bit braver than I was - sometimes I’m a bit careful, maybe too careful. I’m a single parent, and for a long time, that’s where a lot of my energy was going. 

Marta: I like how Gail says it. Just survive - that’s part of an artist’s life, we are good at that!

VAWAA: Is there anything that VAWAA can do to improve, or anything that I didn’t ask that you’d like to share?

Gail: VAWAA is getting better, all the time. It’s brilliant. It’s like an open door to possibility. 

Stories like Gail and Marta's are a testament to the transformative power of stepping outside your creative comfort zone. Whether you’re seeking to learn a new skill, collaborate with a fellow artist, or simply find inspiration in a different culture, the VAWAA community offers boundless opportunities to explore new artforms and evolve your practice. Don’t hesitate—venture into the unknown, connect with other master artists, and let your creativity flourish in unexpected ways. The world awaits you!

Learn more about Gail and her mini-apprenticeship here.

Learn more about Marta and her mini-apprenticeship here.

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