Dianne Muhly
The year was 1978. My husband, Al, and I had mortgaged everything but the kids and moved to a 30 acre farm which was a total mess. There was no true house, just a really ratty mobile home, a barn that needed a lot of work and a huge garbage pile that needed cleaned up and several acres of ripe blackberries that needed harvesting. It was hot, dry and exhausting.
I happened to read an ad in the local newspaper advertising a six week class in leaded glass for $25. I could just scrape that together, so, once the kids had started back to school, I took the class. It was love at first sight and I continued working in stained glass, learning leading and foiling, for about 25 years.
While I started working with glass in 1978, I began fusing about 15 years ago. Needless to say, I was quickly “hooked” on this wonderful way of expression. One day, after experimenting for some time and having accumulated quite a supply of finished pieces, I joined a street market in a nearby town; literally with a card table and a picnic umbrella. Sales were good and I continued to participate with that group for several months at which time I was approached by a local art gallery asking if I would like to join their wonderful gallery. An opportunity I readily accepted.
Because I still live on the farm, I have an endless supply of inspiration simply by looking out my windows. We recently had a very large bear cross our property and I took that as an opportunity to create a 10x10 Alaska themed plate with bears walking across the face of the glass. And, happily, that piece has already sold!
Working with glass as my medium is both exhilarating and frustrating. Every glass artist has had many “oh, no!!” moments and many happy surprises. I truly feel that, no matter how much and learn, I will never get close to knowing all there is to know about this art form.
I happened to read an ad in the local newspaper advertising a six week class in leaded glass for $25. I could just scrape that together, so, once the kids had started back to school, I took the class. It was love at first sight and I continued working in stained glass, learning leading and foiling, for about 25 years.
While I started working with glass in 1978, I began fusing about 15 years ago. Needless to say, I was quickly “hooked” on this wonderful way of expression. One day, after experimenting for some time and having accumulated quite a supply of finished pieces, I joined a street market in a nearby town; literally with a card table and a picnic umbrella. Sales were good and I continued to participate with that group for several months at which time I was approached by a local art gallery asking if I would like to join their wonderful gallery. An opportunity I readily accepted.
Because I still live on the farm, I have an endless supply of inspiration simply by looking out my windows. We recently had a very large bear cross our property and I took that as an opportunity to create a 10x10 Alaska themed plate with bears walking across the face of the glass. And, happily, that piece has already sold!
Working with glass as my medium is both exhilarating and frustrating. Every glass artist has had many “oh, no!!” moments and many happy surprises. I truly feel that, no matter how much and learn, I will never get close to knowing all there is to know about this art form.
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