Mad Art Studios is the creation of the husband and wife team of Michael Maddy and Rina Fehrensen. They started Mad Art Studios specifically to create their playful and whimsical glass pieces. As their studio evolved, so did their work, and today their works include many traditional glass pieces.
Both native Californians, Michael got his artistic start through studying ceramics first at Humbolt State University, and later at Palomar College in San Marcos, California where he studied glass. It was there he met Rina, who had just completed her studies in visual arts at the University of California – San Diego.
Rina has also studied at well known glass schools such as the Pilchuck School in Seattle, the Bildwerk School of Glass in Germany, and the Haystack School of Crafts in Maine. Although both started their artistic careers working in other mediums, glass has become the main focus of their artistic expression.
Their original operation was a very small cottage business which they operated on the back patio of their home in Vista, California. Since it’s inception in 1997, the studio has grown into a 3500 square foot facility with three additional artists working on staff, where they create their works with 2000 degree F kilns.
Michael and Rina feel that the San Diego area offers an ideal location for artists to explore new ideas, and are at home making art in their studio. They find inspiration from the environment as well as from their son, Mikey.
