Tell us about yourself.
I graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 1997. Upon graduating I was awarded a scholarship at Broadfield House Glass Museum in the UK. It was such a great opportunity – but the reality was that I went from one day being a student to the next being a professional artist. Not necessarily the easiest way to start out. As they say if you are thrown in at the deep end you simply have to sink or swim. Luckily I managed to swim. I won a couple of national competitions which gave me a little credibility and I started to gain a few clients. I have slowly built up a studio since then. My skills and design sense also developed and with it a greater sense of confidence. I supply 20 – 30 galleries around the UK. Whilst supplying those galleries I enjoy working on bespoke commissions – this has actually become the largest part of my work load. We (as I now have a team working with me) work with movie and football companies through to private collectors. The common element is that all of our clients wish for something unique – and I love a challenge! If it sounds interesting/unusual or exciting I would love to have a go. I joined the British Glass foundation as a trustee about 10 years ago when the museum that I started my career in had to be closed. I assisted the trust and have helped raise over £1million to recently launch Stourbridge Glass Museum – one of my proudest achievements. I am now Honorary Freeman for the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers too. Sometimes I pinch myself as I cant quite believe how lucky I am. After 25 years I still love my job!
What draws you to the material you work with?
The process is like no other when it comes to working with hot glass. It is addictive. Each new commission that comes along generally presents me with another learning curve that I have to go through. I love the fact that I continue to learn each week, glass often likes to remind me that I do not know it all and I love that fact. When combining glass with colour and light there is no other material that comes close to the energy that glass may posses. The array of finishes and possibilities seem endless and again I cant help feel I can carry in playing endlessly.
What themes do you pursue in your work, and why have you chosen the processes that you use in your work?
I celebrate every day observations in my life. This may be something from the natural world as I am continuously drawn to enjoy it as I generally find it a great way to escape and maintain a positive state of mind.
I recently took up diving, this inspired a whole new body of work called bubblewrap the ascent. The ascent to the surface brings with it a bitter sweet moment. As I exhale I watch large bubbles form and burst into hundreds of smaller variations as they overtake me in their race to the surface. I do not wish to beat them, the sooner I arrive at the surface the sooner my experience is over. Emerging from behind a cloud the sun’s rays give each bubble a halo. Ripples on the surface now become visible and I feel a warmth in the light near the surface. Diving offers a moment of complete escapism from our world.These bubblewrap pieces evolve as I gain experience in diving. I’m fascinated by observations of how colour and light are effected at various depths and how this effects the state of mind.
What is your dream project?
I really wish to keep progressing and so my dream is one of a consistent development. I am fortunate to have had many great commissions and hope that I am challenged to create larger scale installation pieces
Why are you a member of GAS?
I have watched from afar for years the great work that GAS carries out and recently decided that I really wanted to be part of their Story. I am not sure why it took me so long – maybe it is down to the distance. I noticed however that during the pandemic I was allowed to take part from overseas more so than ever before as we all started to accept attending events and lectures online. I find their members inspirational and naturally wanted to become a member.