Lately I have been doing restoration work and new commissions. I am taking part in the outdoor exhibition at the BOA Arts Festival which begins this weekend. In this exhibition I show stained glass and fused hand painted glass work. My workshop where I make windows of stained glass for private or public places is cool in the hot weather, thank goodness. On the farm the swallows swoop around the yard, flying into my workshop too! At the workshop one of my design's has been approved and a brand … [Read more...]
March winds and April Showers
New Work I have new work to design and make. One commission being in Dorset I love the travelling around to meet people and see their ideas coming to life. I love being able to transform other people's ideas and dreams then make them into glass. In addition I am working on a series of my own new work, paintings which will be dedicated to special people in my life. Each person is asked three things, their favorite bird, a favorite tree or flower and a line from a song. I am onto my third … [Read more...]
December blues & Brightening days
Restoration and Repairs My stained glass workshop has a lot of restoration work and repairs! The windows I am restoring at the moment are from the bell tower of St Anne's, Bowden hill, Wiltshire. They are leaded lights, glass quarries using antique glass from EAG in Birmingham (English Antique glass). I also replicate the painted broken stained glass which are painted and stained in the traditional manner of the 13th century. Restoring the windows of historic buildings and churches will give … [Read more...]
Autumn warmth
This Autumn has been so beautiful and warm, the workshop has been a hive of restoration projects. The door has been wide open and sunshine pouring in lighting up the somber spaces. Stained glass commissions I began working on restoring windows in September in a lovely church once called the 'Beacon on the hill' in Bowden hill near Lacock. I am re-leading and re-painting broken quarries for eleven windows in all, it is quite a steady flow of energy into the repairs. Some quarries are the same … [Read more...]
English Summertime
The last few months I have visited buildings in need of restoration and new stained glass work. I have meandered through routes to little villages, chapels and churches. I have visited new places, talked with people eager to restore or have a new stained glass in their building or home. A rewarding warming time in more ways than one. Glass Repairs I have made repairs to a huge tiffany lamp will bring back years of warmth through colour and light. I have also made repairs using conservation … [Read more...]
Waking up Spring
It is the 1st of February a slow awakening of the earth into warmer days making new stained glass. For the past few months I have glazed windows and enjoyed teaching. CPD Award I have been working at Andrew Taylor's studio to complete my cpd award, which I won from the Worshipful company of glaziers. Finally, I have completed my report about glass painting, a finishing of this episode and I am planning my events for the year ahead. Exhibitions I have been asked to exhibit my stained glass … [Read more...]
Winter winds of December
All the seasons have their natural changes. Winter always make me feel like hibernating to keep warm. Wearing layers of clothes give softness against the chill wind. My stained glass studio is warm, a really hearty place to work. Exhibitions I have been beavering away in my studio making stained glass roundels for Christmas as commissions and for sale at the Christmas Fair. Preparation is always good for doing anything in the workshop. I love to carefully prepare my stained glass designs as … [Read more...]
Autumnal Fruits
Summer time is one of the most fruitful times to create new stained glass creations in the workshop. The big barn door is open most days letting in light and warmth. The swallows have nested in the room next door have on numerous occasions thought my workshop is their home. They fly into the space then circle once or twice before making for the door and swooping out. Exhibitions The Bradford on Avon sculpture garden was a real success this year with three times as many people walking around … [Read more...]
The merry month of May
A windy and changeable springtime here in south west England bringing the twigs and branches abundant with tiny green saplings and buds. Blowing around outside my stained glass studio. Seed pods and feathers flying on the cool breeze settling on wherever they chance to land. I go out painting when I am not in the studio teaching and making new work. I love this time of year as it brings new beginnings and lighter days. The busy bee makes his home and prepares his hive with a buzzing energy … [Read more...]
One bright morning …
We are here at the end of November where the rain pours, the sky is overcast and fog is on the horizon, today is actually icy blue skies and bright! Therefore what better thing to do than start a creative project, draw, paint, sew, make a beautiful panel in stained glass or several small ones to give as gifts. I have been tinkering away for weeks now on several projects at once. I work well in that way so I keep a bright edge on my work, a new eye, a clear head, a fresh vision. It is all … [Read more...]
