The Artist

Ted Rips on a visit to Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah at the same time.

I have been around glass my whole life. Born into a family of opticians, my great uncle was one of the first to fuse two pieces of glass together to create a bifocal lens.  My father started his own lens manufacturing business in 1955, and in 1972 I dropped out of school to join the company.  Over then next 30 years, my father, mother, brother and myself grew a business that would eventually allow each of us to pursue our dreams.  My dream was to travel, return to school, and to express those things deep within that could not be expressed within a corporate environment. 
     

In 2000 I returned to school at Moorpark Community College, then transferred to Cal State Northridge, where I received a Bachelors degree in History and Archival Studies and ultimately a Masters.

This year, Karen and I celebrate our 35th year together.   Since 2000 we have made "baseball trips" with our son to stadiums around the major leagues, and have traveled together to Costa Rica, Alaska, Spain, Morocco, Japan, Peru/Bolivia, Korea, and Cuba, in addition to trips around the USA.  In addition to our son, we have three daughters, two son's in law, and two grand-daughters.  We make regular visits to see our children in Monterey, CA and Phoenix, AZ, and along the way we pick up inspiration for our art.  I believe that history, travel, and art are inseparable.

Glass art has become a major part of my life. I enjoy every aspect of the craft. Cutting, arranging, fusing, tacking, slumping, and coldwork. I also love lampwork, making beads, pendants, marbles, and even frit.

When I turned 50, I thought my life was two-thirds over. Now at 61, I have discovered that my life has only just begun.

Curriculum Vitae


Formal Education
Lower Division Studio Arts, California State University Channel Islands, 2008 - 2009
M. A. History, California State University Northridge, 2007.
B. A. History & Archival Studies, California State University Northridge, 2003.
A. A. Ophthalmic Optics, Los Angeles City College, 1973.


Glass Education
Hollow Beads, Jeri Warhaftig, April 2010.
Sinks, Patty Gray, December 2009.
Roll Ups at Uroboros, Patty Gray, Hans Ittig, June 2008.
Boro Scluptures, Josh Mazet, May 22, 2007.
Boro Pendants, Josh Mazet, May 21, 2007.
Intermediate Marbles, Josh Mazet, May 19, 20, 2007.
Advanced Fused Bowls, Patty Gray, April 2007.
Shaping, Encasing & A Little Color, Margaret Zinser, April 2007.
Beginning Marble, Josh Mazet, June 2006.
Dichroic Boro Pendant, Josh Mazet, June 2006.
Boro Bead Magic, Doug Remschneider, March 2006.
Intermediate Lampwork Beads, Catharine Weaver, March 2006.
Mille Madness, Diann Schwerdtfeger, November 2005.
Stamping Glass with High Fire Enamels, Linda Scott, November 2005.
Finish it Up, Kerry Transtrum, November 2005.
Fusing with Irids, Jim Gregory, November 2005.
Beginning Beadmaking, Cathy Mulligan, 2004.

Exhibits
Westlake Village Art Guild, Newbury Park, CA, Open Juried Show, (2010).
Westlake Village Art Guild, Newbury Park, CA, Members Only Show, (2009)