IM. Douglas Walton is widely known as an accomplished watercolor artist and teacher, and only recently expanded into working with fused glass, the basis for his jewelry line. The seed for working with glass was planted almost twenty years ago by friend and fellow artist Jack Lewis. Lewis opened his studio to Douglas’s watercolor students, where they were taught to work with glass as an art medium. While his students were learning, so was Douglas. During their time at Lewis’ studio, Douglas began designing belt buckles for himself to compliment his trademark Balinese shirts. The glass spark did not become a full flame, however, until Douglas discovered dischrioc glass fragments during a visit with Rollin Karg in Kapaa, HI. Upon leaving, Karg gave him a gift of some exquisite pieces that Douglas then took to Bali and had the fused glass set in sterling silver to create rings. The combination of the glass and sterling silver was stunning; Douglas began a new journey.
 
 Since the creation of the first ring, a year and a half ago, Douglas has developed an entire line of jewelry that includes pendants, rings, bracelets, belt buckles and pins. Each piece has been designed by Douglas; the glass created by him in his studio in Ruston, Louisiana and the sterling silver work is always performed by the same craftspeople in Bali, Indonesia. Douglas explains, “The Balinese create the highest quality sterling silver jewelry in the world. To the Balinese their craft is their art and their art is closely linked with their spirituality. The combination of the glass work and silversmithing gives each finished piece a touch of mystery; art without mystery lacks soul and spirit.”