Artwork for Jill Bagnall
Just because (solo perche)
Periwinkle dish
Fabulously Functional - coasters
Ribbon Weave
A new twist (una nuova svolta)
Details
Glass is a medium that is just a joy to work with.
It is unique – amongst other properties, it can refract, reflect, and transmit light and, be heat worked repeatedly. This creates opportunities for many glass working techniques, in turn, using different artistic skills so it is perfect for individually hand-made processes. Add to that a few technical challenges et voila – never a dull day!
I’ve concentrated on kiln-forming processes and and my work is evolving as a mix of the physical and artistic techniques I most enjoy using.
I’ve always been a maker, over the years dabbling with many different media; creativity provided a counterbalance to career & family!
I first ‘dabbled’ with glass about 20 years ago and couldn’t resist taking it further. In 2012, I 'launched' Fusing Ideas Glass and became a self-employed artist, something I would never have imagined for myself.
Fair to say it's a happy place to be.
At Fusing Ideas Contemporary Glass, I am designer - maker, self employed artist, technician, cleaner, admin marketing & sales manager, solopreneur, sole proprietor etc etc - the good, the bad and the ugly!
Oh, and fused glass teacher & workshop facilitator.
I aim to create affordable, predominantly functional, glass art that is an eye-popping celebration of the colour & form achievable with this extraordinary material, in so doing, introducing people to the visual magic that is glass and light!
And my vision is to continue to evolve my work by fusing various ‘warm’ glass techniques and colour combinations to create pieces that are unique and stunning.
And, when the audience is willing, to explain a little of the science that makes glass the material that defines our 'age'.
I been running workshops for several years, using a range of glass fusing techniques to introduce others to glass as a rewarding medium for creativity.
I'm essentially self-taught, guided by attending masterclasses with some internationally renowned glass artists. I've learnt exciting techniques some of which I can mix & match to create my own style. This year I'm aiming to introduce another 'dimension' into my work.
Artists/designers I admire generally use vibrant colours and often abstract form, clean design & clever engineering; for example Bauhaus & Kandinsky.
My driver, in one word, is colour – and light (OK that’s 2, but you can’t have one without the other). Lucky me, therefore, to work with glass!
Herefordshire Art Week since 2017, Leamington Art in the Park since 2021, Bishop’s Castle Arts Festival, Broadway Arts Festival - artBEAT, amongst others.
I also show with Worcestershire Guild of Contemporary Craft (Malvern Autumn Show & CraftWorks) and Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft (Gorgeous etc) and occasionally at independant art/craft events or venues.
Very occassionally with Contemporary Glass Society - online.
Own Studio in Bishop's Castle, Shropshire AONB.
Own website.
