My glassworks draw together my changing life with the constancy of the seasons. The colours and forms of my heart reflect my connection to the natural order. Forever seeking the harmony found in the blending of light and colour...
Early on in my life I learned that art is the only way to run away without leaving home. As a single mother of 5 young children my glasswork and my garden were my ties to sanity. Late in the evenings when the finally slept, i drew...In an effort to survive economically everything i had ever pursued took on a new energy...I began to teach and explore my passion with glass with a new perspective. Largely self taught, I immersed myself in glass-cold (stained glass) hot (blown) and finally warm (fused).
Reaching towards an image and proceeding doggedly until it becomes clear...I revel in the beauty of the West Coast and find constant inspiration within the rock forms, water and trees of the Gulf Islands.
I constantly say that I am in a love affair with glass and forever try to share that with people. Life changes; my children have grown, I share my life with a gentle man and the struggles of early years fade.
For the past 12 years I have worked almost exclusively with kiln fired warm glass, fusing, slumping and casting the glass. Many pieces are then hand painted with 24kt gold or platinum and re-fired.
My organic pieces are fired numerous times reflecting my clay background. Each time I crack open the kiln I teeter on that wonderful abyss between fear and excitement –only different by one word, “Oh no!” or “Oh boy!”...
In 2004 I moved my studio and opened a gallery on
Galiano Island...in the midst of the rainforest and the peaceful solitude of the island my work is transforming once again. I became one of the feature artists at the Galiano Oceanfront Inn & Spa in 2005 and have embarked upon a series of smaller Island shows. With an open studio workshop located in a forest garden we see visitors from all over the world that share their lives openly. The constant interaction with how others view and recieve my work provides a unique environment of growth and inderstanding.
Last year I began working with a metal worker,
Brian Hedley and am delighted with the synergy between the glass and the iron refelcted in my new work.
Currently represented in Galleries in Victoria, Vancouver, the Gulf Islands, Calgary and Edmonton. Found within private collections in numerous countries.
Thank you for visiting my blog!