Artist Behind "A Bottle" Shares Her Favorite Scent

Artist Leah Waldo creates beautiful blown glass pieces at College for Creative Studies — including the exquisite perfume flask that represents "in a bottle's" new Facebook page. Leah, a world traveler, has honed her sophisticated palette by studying under famous chefs and master artists. It's only natural her favorite scents reflect the divine:

What is your favorite scent?

My favorite scent by far is Jesus Del Pozo's Esencia de Duende. It is slightly spicy and musky, with a subtle sweetness.

What does it evoke for you?

As my mother used to wear it when I was younger, the perfume reminds me of my childhood. It evokes images of my watching my mom in front of her antique vanity, putting in earrings and making the necessary preparations before going out.

What is your favorite smell that can't be captured "in a bottle," and why?

The smell of freshly ground sumi, a type of ink used in Japanese and Chinese brush painting. The ink is made of burnt pine combined with glue then molded into a block. To prepare the ink for painting, one grinds the stone with water in an ink well until it creates a jet black ink. As this process is rather lengthy, the Japanese consider it to be a time for reflection and contemplation to focus on what to paint and the meaning behind it.

Photo of Leah Waldo courtesy of Rob Woodcox.