ABSTRACT
TUSCANY WINDOW
KANGAROO PAW
FLORAL SIDELIGHT
I have been designing and making leadlights since 1985. A natural artist from a very young age, I have explored many artistic and creative pursuits over the years. Leadlights and stained glass windows had always fascinated me.....the dancing rainbow of colours, the sparkle, vibrancy and life radiating forth from church windows. They captured my imagination and admiration from a very early age. It was as though a palette of colours were heaven-sent.
A seed was planted, a deep yearning to take up the craft ensued, eventuating in the first leadlight class, many years later in Devonport, Tasmania. My first teacher Margaret Redpath saw “something” in me that I had not recognized in myself. I seriously thought I was the "worst in the class" for quite some time !
Enthusiastic encouragement from Margaret urged me onwards and I didn't look back. I quickly became student, teacher, craftswoman, artist. I was a DRIVEN WOMAN !
Moving back home to Western Australia, I received expert tutelage from mentor Ian Dixon , who took a chance on this “raw recruit”. I will be forever grateful for that opportunity. Through this long term working relationship, Ian was responsible for expanding my knowledge and experience in a vast area of the leadlight and glass industry. Eventually this “chick left the nest” and tried out my wings. It kind of felt like jumping off a cliff without a parachute!
I took over an existing business...R&HB Leadlights, and renamed it ARTISTRY STAINED GLASS. I have now moved to a spacious home workshop / studio. Personal motivation is at an all time high, with client approval and satisfaction the vital objective. The door to creative excitement has been flung wide.
Two of my leadlights, entered in the Subiaco Leadlight Festival, have won awards. Leadlighters and novices alike enter in their respective categories in friendly competition for the benefit of the Save the Children Fund. This event is held bi-annually and is well promoted within Subiaco on each occasion. A great many of the locals with original old leadlights in their homes, show them off on the night, by lighting them up for the benefit of both walking and tram tours. Leadlights, copper foiled works , lamps and other exciting works of glass art are on display on the night, and can be viewed for the benefit of the Save The Children Fund.
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My goal is to make every leadlight a work of art in it's own right ( and price bracket ). My personal philosophy is to make every leadlight look like it "belongs" in the home it's going in. This philosophy contrasts with the standards of mass-produced imported leadlights where design skills, proper reinforcing and construction methods have flown out the window to afford higher profit margins for the manufacturer. Buying an " off-the-rack" leadlight means you will see "your" leadlight everywhere you go. I provide a unique and individually designed leadlight for the client. They can be assured that they will not see their leadlight design in another home down the road. This service to the client costs no more and keeps the leadlight designer both interested and enthusiastic about her work. I have no wish to become a production-line for leadlight manufacture. Sure, the same repetitive design would be easier for us. However, where's the job satisfaction ? ARTISTRY STAINED GLASS PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA PH 08 9378 9910 MOB 0434 861 841 |
