Archives: Artists

My latest work, the ‘Unhandy’ Collection combines cast and blown glass to create a limited collection of pieces inspired by arthritis and the affect it can have on being able to handle everyday objects.
Anyone who has ever tried to drink from the latte or espresso glasses favoured by most coffee shops will empathise with a person who suffers from arthritis or involuntary tremors in their hands.
What is fiddly for most of us becomes virtually impossible for them. I have heard of one lady who takes her own mug so she doesn’t have to suffer the embarrassment of spilling coffee everywhere.
The ‘Unhandy’ collection is a light-hearted comment on these annoying vessels.

Miracle of life

There’s no greater miracle, I think, than the existence of life. For us, living entities, life is probable the most fortunate event that has been developed by chance, on our little planet, as peculiar fragment of the endless process of the cosmic swirl.

I try to catch and reflect in my work the miracle of life. Glass, as a fragile, still robust material, with its unique qualities, is suitable for representing life. They both share fragility, delicacy and yet an incredible strength. The degrees of transparency one can obtain from glass are both marvelous metaphors and good enough physical representations for the mysterious processes of life creation.

My search goes in three directions:
Beginnings
Birth
Life and death.

Life is diverse; so is my work. I try different techniques, intending to catch better the life’s ineffable. Nature has the freedom to experiment on a very large scale; I have only very limited possibilities.

I specialise in stained glass and often use enamel paints to give the work character and interest. I undertake commissions for architectural stained glass and decorative hangings. Recently I have been exploring the possibilities of fused glass and mosaic and will make items to order.

I am interested in working on projects with my clients so they can be involved in the making.

Currently exploring the use of wafers and developing my Pate de Verre skills as I love the versatility of glass powder.
Recent projects include work for Flow Exhibition – Craft in the Bay, Cardiff, and Earth/Sea/Sky Exhibition at London Glassblowing Gallery

Recent projects include designing a stained glass panel for a farming family’s barn conversion in which I combined both traditional stained glass painting and staining techniques with fused glass and kiln carving. I make a range of small decorative products that include sun catchers, coasters and plates, along with larger art pieces. Recent commissions include stained glass style painted Christmas baubles, plates and wall plaques.

The UK was once the world capital of stained glass design, production and innovation. English Antique Glass is now the UK’s only remaining manufacturer of flat glass. An offshoot of one of the great 19th century Sunderland glassworks, English Antique Glass has decades of experience including hand-crafting stained glass panes for York Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and many of the country’s most exalted edifices.

Using artisanal techniques first developed in the twelfth century, English Antique Glass offers free blown glass- a highly skilled, labour and time-intensive process. Unlike homogenous mould-made glass, each piece is unique, with air bubbles and slight variations in design demonstrating the care and attention with which it is crafted. A new collection of handmade mouth-blown tableware and decorative accessories keeps traditional glassblowing alive, by bringing ancient skills to new audiences thanks to a renewed global interest in Britain’s manufacturing history.

The English Antique Glass collection includes a selection of reassuringly substantial glasses, paperweights, doorstops, vases, decanters and carafes in a palette of yellow, amber and turquoise. Finishes include clear as well as swirled or seedy, achievable only in hand-mixed, hand blown glass using specialised techniques. The result is a glassware range of the finest colour, clarity and brilliance.

I am currently producing glass installations for exhibitions/competitions, as well as producing decorative wall art on a range of themes that I will be submitting to galleries soon.
I am also producing three-dimensional social ceramic wares to fund my passion for glass and raise money for charities.
All my work is unique and hand-crafted by myself.