Monday, February 22, 2010

Meet Debi of a1debsglass









Meet Debi of a1debsglass
You can visit her shop here:


How many years have you worked with glass?
This year will be 30 years that I have been working with stained glass.
My work is done using the Tiffany Method.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
Most of my ideas come from shapes and color of everyday life. I started out with geometric designs (quilt designs were easy with straight lines) and I love art nouveau designs.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas come to me anytime. Stained glass is a visual art, so ideas can be triggered by shapes or colors in everyday life. I have spacial thinking so I can envision what something will look like after completed, which helps in creating. When I see something that sparks a design, I make a small drawing of the design while it is fresh.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I might have several ideas in a day, or might not have one for a week, they just happen.

Do you create daily?
I think about art more than I work on it. It is never enough either way.
I feel that I should create everyday, but it just doesn't appen that way for me.

How important is it for you to create art?
Creating art is a way of life for me, but sometimes I have so many different projects going at one time, that I can't finish what I started before I start something new. I guess I like certain processes of creating better than others.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
An artist's life has been a sacrifice to me in several ways. Mostly in monetary terms.

Describe your studio:
I opened a stained glass studio about 4 years ago, but being single and supporting myself could not stay open long enough to acquire a following. I could not afford paying for 2 places. I went back to work in the real world. I have a studio in my apartment now as I have for years.

Tell me something about you
I have a son, 26 years old, who after being in the Navy for 4 years, is finishing school at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He is my biggest inspiration. I work full time outside my home, and hope to retire in 5 years. If I am still physically able, would like to travel doing show, or open another studio, art gallery, and provide other artists a place to create. I have acquired a desire to make jewelry and would like to become a silversmith, already having some of the skills of soldering and working with metals.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Meet Lisa of Artdefleur










Meet Lisa of Artdefleur.
You can visit her shop here:


How many years have you worked with glass?
I started working with stained glass in 1997, my glass work as evolved over the years from mosaics to kiln work. Before glass I worked mostly in pastel and oil paint.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
I am inspired by nature, flowers fish, the color of the sky. I just love color.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas can come to me at anytime, even dreams. I love color. I think about my work daily.
What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I would like to say 100% but I have a family, a job and pets (2 dogs and 2 cats) I do dedicate some time each day to my work.
Do you create daily?
Yes, even if it's just a quick sketch.

How important is it for you to create art?
Very important, It's how I communicate.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?
No, art is a pleasure I can't imagine my life without art.

Describe your studio:
I have a room in my house that is dedicated to my glass work. I like working at home because I can work any time I have a free moment. I have a talented woodworker husband who has built me a fantastic work table. I have a couple of kilns, a torch, and lots of glass. I like to turn on some music and just relax and explore. That doesn't mean everything turns out perfect but we learn a lot from our mistakes.

Tell me something about you:
I have always loved art, I think it started with my first box of 72 crayons, so many lovely colors. I paint, draw, mosaic, and work with the kiln. I enjoy creating art and am very happy that I can share my work with others.