Featuring —

Virginia Smith

Virginia Smith is involved in many different creative aspects of glass, from stained glass on commission and works of art for galleries, to smaller items for gifting. Here is a recent interview:

How did you get started in glass?

I was a general arts student at the Ontario College of Art working in plastics, doing sculpture and panels, when someone suggested I work in glass. At that time there was not a glass program at OCA so I went to my local stained glass store. They could only teach me techniques but not design so I started on my own. Several years later OCA opened a glass department and I was introduced to Johannes Schreiter and abstract stained glass. When I started my family, I didn't have hours to spend working on panels so I started fusing. Alot was by trial and error. I was also interested in glass blowing but it is very physical so I started lampworking glass, it is blowing on a smaller scale.

What is it about this medium that you find so appealing?

Glass is a very unforgiving medium and everyone who works with glass wonders why they do it, it breaks. But I could do small things in a short time period and they didn't weigh a ton. It suited my size. It is technical and rigid, and hard to be creative with, but these difficulties kept me hooked.

What about the future directions for your work?

I do not know, each day brings in new ideas. When you are an artist, your life revolves around art and art revolves around your life. Ideas and themes flow and overlap, personal passions influence, fruition is complete, but tomorrow is a new day.

First photo:
Virginia's studio.

2nd photo:
Virginia lampworking glass beads for bookmarks.

3rd photo:
A work in progress, awaiting painted pieces.

4th photo:
Slumping spring dishes.

5th photo:
Stars being laminated.

For more photos of Virginia's work and contact information, please see her Artist Profile page.

Previously Featured Artists:

Diane Edwards
Timothy Smith
Virginia Smith