Joseph Campbell has written that “when you follow your bliss, doors will open  for you that you did not know were there and would not be there for anyone  else.”

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I discovered stained glass art quite by chance when I  was  renovating my kitchen a few years ago and my carpenter insisted that I pick out  my own textured glass for several cabinets. While paying for my  glass I noticed  a very small ad lying on the checkout counter for stained glass classes.

“I have never done that before,” I said, and my  journey of bliss began.

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One of the first doors that opened was to the two-car garage that I converted into my studio. Another door that  opened was the one to the Visual Arts Center in Richmond Virginia  and its myriad of classes with  bright, encouraging faculty like Jay Sharpe,  Barbara Atkinson, Brad Pearson, and  Jude Schlotzhauer.

The third  significant door that opened in Richmond was to the Stewart  Gallery and Theresa Hupp’s warm welcoming approach to “new” artists. Becoming a member of the Charlottesville Arts Cooperative was a goal that became a recent reality.

I am in a state of bliss and quiet while I first imagine, and then start the various processes of creating glass art. One of the many art forms I am drawn to is boxes… they are lovely, functional, and can hold  both concrete items and, possibly, hopes and dreams. They are a tangible projection of both the artist and the collector who is drawn to them.

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Much of my glass art is adorned with lampwork beads that  I have made or that have come from international sites. Lampwork beads add a delightful and colorful image to many objects such as letter openers, spoons, and even pickle forks! A favorite location is South Africa and beads that were made by hand using (yes!) a refurbished pizza oven.

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I hope you will find pleasure in my art.