Member’s Spotlight

A garage clear out, a night of insomnia, and a creative itch that needed to be scratched led me to the intoxicating world of fused glass in 2014, and I abandoned the corporate world and my “proper job” for a more colourful, creative life. I emigrated to Nelson, New Zealand from Scotland in 2002, attracted by the lifestyle, climate and landscape. I am inspired by the beauty around me: vast and expansive landscapes and seascapes; dramatic weather patterns which can change in an instant, and the vibrant colours of the changing seasons. I work with a combination of sheet glass, crushed glass and glass powders to create textured evocative, landscapes, seascapes and sculptural pieces that capture raw, organic essence of New Zealand. My aim is that these pieces evoke strong memories and transport people back to a specific time and place. I am drawn to the translucent nature of glass and how it is transformed by light. I like to fuse at lower temperatures to retain the texture of the glass which adds extra depth and dimension. Natural elements such as pure silver foil and mica also feature in my work.