Member’s Spotlight

I am Wendy Atkins, of Cloverdale Glass Studio. I am based in the heart of the Kent countryside, on the outskirts of the beautiful seaside town of Deal. My surroundings and worldwide travel inspire my work, adding day to day scenes of what I see around me, from the crops in the fields to the Buzzards floating on thermals, being `buzzed’ by Rooks, to incorporating my photography into printed glass. Working mainly with glass, I create stained glass artwork in Tiffany and traditional leaded styles, also fused glass, engraved, painted and printed, to achieve a greater level of character and detail. The work I create ranges from small fused bowls and `sun catchers’ to small windows and everything in between. Having been advised by parents at the tender age of 17, that the life of an artist would not provide me with a career, I ventured into the fire service, law and fostering to name but a few of my previous professions. I re discovered my love of art when we moved to our current home and saw the need for a stained glass transom and off I went to evening classes to make my own. From that point I have found a fire and passion which will not be extinguished and that love has steadily grown as has my experience in this an other art forms. I continue to learn and grow and have undertaken courses in screen printing on glass with the renowned James Cockerell of HALT glass studio and painting on glass with the talented Rachel Mulligan, Derek Hunt and latterly Ellen van Dijk. I have also studied fusing with the world renowned Erna Piechna. I aim to always remain the `pupil’ and continue to attend art classes to discover new techniques and styles. I am not restricted by my limitations! I `just give it a go’ and joyfully it mainly works out well and I love the process! I also share my studio with people wishing to explore the wonderful world of glass.