My obsession with glass originated with collecting; I took a stained glass class and started designing & producing stained glass panels; then I got my first kiln and was instantly hooked on fusing glass, which lead to torching my own glass beads and using them as inspiration for my jewellery designs.
My inspiration comes from the west coast landscape, specifically, the ocean at low tide, bright and vibrant flowers in the spring, and the contrasting and changing colours of the fall season. These elements present endless stimulation to explore colour and shape, and presents visual elements and interesting contrasts that I incorporate in my work. My BA degree in history/art history has provided me with a vast understanding of art movements, forms and styles through the ages, specifically expressions of Henry Matisse and Frank Lloyd Wright. Matisse’s use of colour, Wright’s prairie style architecture, and the art deco movement influence my work.
It is exciting when I see that my fused art glass or my jewellery pieces inspire, evoke and stimulate emotional responses, and make lasting connections.
I create adorning glass bead jewellery, and decorative functional kiln formed artglass in my home studio in Nanaimo on beautiful Vancouver Island.
