I am a multidisciplinary artist. I paint, draw, sculpt, and design glasswork to commission. My introduction to working with stained glass was quite unplanned. After leaving University in the ‘80s, I had taught myself calligraphy, and gone onto teach Further Education evening classes. I was busy doing graphic art, designing and creating artwork for projects in the dioceses of Durham, Newcastle and Oxford. I had commissions to create Memorial books, and to design and create liturgical text and had co-worked with an author to design and produce calligraphy for a published book. Then an opportunity arose to undertake a commission in glass for a project at the Littlemore Hospital in partnership with The King’s Fund. I had never worked with glass before, but it was a wonderful challenge and an opportunity not to be missed.
I was then invited to undertake further commissions with the Oxford NHS Trust: both a window in the main corridor of the Warneford Hospital, and floor-to-ceiling window in The Sanctuary at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. This window is included in the recently published book The Stained Glass and Chapels of Oxford by Dominic Price.
In my architectural glass, I like to evoke a sense of place, a visual interpretation of the comings and goings within the setting in which the window is set, to enhance and to inspire. How wonderful it is to be told that my glass designs are a comfort in times of sadness; a focus of inspiration and a sense of uplifting joy.
My drawing style is very linear. The flowing and circular lines in my work depict energy and movement which is counter balanced by more rigid geometric patterns. This adapts well to the medium of stained glass. I use colour to express mood and feeling, both complementary colours, bright and loud, and some more muted. I’m inspired by images and metaphors in poetry. For me Art is a visual poem, a story with endless interpretations to inspire and be inspired by.
I have outgrown my studio at home and have just acquired a studio in Abingdon at The Charter with Makespace Oxford. Here I will have space to store glass, focus on my glasswork, and to share my enthusiasm for the arts with others through mini-exhibitions and various community projects.
See me at work at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioWE9SKOAaY
Instagram: @kaygibbons_art.glass.sculpture
Working with fused glass began after I retired, instructed by John Dunn at his studio in Brighton and followed by a training in leaded (stained) glass work with John Vaukins in Didcot. Continuing training happens via talking with others, working in fused glass, and the very helpful videos available the Internet. These sources inspire me to experiment with a variety of techniques including metal inclusions, mica powder, glass paints, decals and special firing techniques.
Inspiration has derived from various sources, from the Inca of Mexico to Paul Klee, M.C. Escher and most recently, Mondrian, developing variations of his ideas using computer graphics and converting the design to glass pieces to create the final work. I also use abstract patterns and shapes in nature for inspiration. The challenge with glass, not always realised, is to create something that emerges from a night the kiln that captures my intentions.
Originally trained as a primary school teacher, I found that working part time allowed me to pursue my interests in art. A relocation to Oxford twelve years ago gave me the opportunity to return to college and do a Foundation in Art and Design where I first encountered kiln formed glass and was immediately captivated by the process.
I spent three years studying 3D glass in London before setting up my purpose built garden studio. Using sheets of float glass I make expressive pieces that have a painterly quality to them. Inclusions of metal leaf and wire enable me to ‘draw’ within the glass and there is a magical alchemy, sometimes unpredictable, which produces a palette of subtle colours when the glass is fired.My work has always capitalised on my love of drawing which involves translating images from my sketchbook into the glass and I frequently work with repeated images creating patterns I make wall panels in various sizes and beautiful glass which will enhance any garden. Most recently I have been using photography to design mini landscapes based on journeys I’ve taken. My studio is open during Oxfordshire Artweeks every year and I sell my work through exhibitions and galleries.
I was a very mature student when I enrolled in High Wycombe College to do a degree in ceramics and glass. I graduated much older and wiser in 1996 and decided to put my newfound knowledge to work. With the aid of Southern Arts Council I set up my workshop in Gawcott, near Buckingham and began making artistic glass by the kiln formed method which melts the glass either to fuse and slump the glass or to melt the glass into a preformed mould.
I welcome visitors to my workshop during Bucks Open Studios in June where they can ‘have-a-go’ at making a small fused pendant. Throughout the year I give both beginners and advanced classes in my well-equipped studio. Clients who would like me to make a piece of glass for them are especially welcomed and I take great delight in making a beautiful piece which will meet all their requirements and will be stunningly unique. Recently I have made a window for an oak door, a sink splash-back with matching soap dish and seven large panels for an unusual curved stairwell. One of my cast glass sculptures was given as a leaving present to the retiring treasurer of the Aylesbury Vale Arts Council.
I worked as a psychotherapist for many years and in my 50s decided to take my artistic talents seriously. After studying Fine Arts Foundation at Abingdon College, I started stained glass classes with Vital Peeters and discovered Glass Fusion. This technique involves special glass called Bullseye, which is cut and then fused in a kiln and can subsequently be slumped into a shape. The alchemical nature of the process and the vibrant colours of the glass captured my imagination and have inspired me ever since.
I have exhibited in Oxfordshire Artweeks, at Arts-Inc Gallery in Freeland and the Creative Arts Gallery in Woodstock.
I am delighted to accept commissions.
I worked as a clinical neuropsychologist for many years but on retirement began to work in fused glass.
I have painted all my life and this has influenced the themes of my work in glass. Apart from Art O Level in the 60s I have had no formal training in arts, but have attended art classes and various short courses on fused glass over the last ten years or so.
Using Bullseye glass which has a wide range of colours, I am inspired by landscape, waterscape and nature.
By cutting glass and assembling it a little like collage, and adding powdered glass and inclusions prior to fusing, it is possible to create the depth, light and fluidity of nature in glass. For instance, water, leaves and trees are a particular inspiration.
I work at home in my garden studio, and have exhibited during Oxford Artweeks, and at Guild Exhibitions such as Woodstock Christmas Show, in the Oxfordshire Soldiers Museum, Broad Street Market, Oxford, and in April, 2017 at Cornerstone Window Walls, Didcot.
I am happy to accept commissions.
Helen has recently completed a practice based research PhD in glass, at The Royal College of Art, in order to develop her practice further.
Based in Oxfordshire, Helen Slater’s artwork draws inspiration from the figurative and its perception within changing environments. By using a mixture of techniques similar to those used in bronze casting and some specially developed by Helen herself, through years of research, she is able to produce stunning one off Art pieces. These unique glass pieces vary in scale from dramatic life size figures, to be displayed outdoors, to delicate tabletop casts for interiors.
From her workshop in Kingham, Oxfordshire, she takes great pride in providing a personal bespoke service, creating original stunning glass sculptural pieces for home & garden in addition to works for gallery exhibition. Helen also offer a range of glass workshops for beginners and more advanced glass practitioners. In Addition, helen is a University Lecturer, on a part-time basis and is an External Examiner for the University of Wales, Trinity of St. David
