I began my journey in stained glass in 1978 in Boulder, Colorado, where I studied with stained glass artist Charla Palmer and worked in Palmer's studio on a production line of small windows. In 1981 I moved to Rappahannock County, which is where I began creating my own commissioned work.
I use many different stained glass techniques, such as: silk screening, etching on flashed glass, kiln fusing and slumping glass, and traditional glass painting. I make my own silk screens and photosensitive sandblast resists. Working with both the lead came and copper foil techniques for construction is decided by which application suites my purpose. I combine the use of all these techniques to create the intricate design in my stained glass artwork.
I have studied with master glass painters Susan Sargent, Peter McGrain and Dick Mallard. I have attended "hot" glass classes in Corning, NY and Portland, OR with Gil Reynolds, Newy Fagan and Jayne Persico. However, most of my skills have been acquired through many hours of trial and tribulation of being self-taught.
Creating symbolism in my glasswork has been a primary focus for me. I enjoyed studying subjects and creating bodies of work around what I am studying. For example, for many years I created Celtic symbolism in glass and enjoyed researching Celtic mythology for my inspiration. Recently, I have enjoyed studying flowers, the meaning of flowers, and creating artwork based on that research.
De'Danann Glassworks is the name of my studio, located outside of Sperryville, Virginia. I use my web site to communicate with clients near and afar, http://www.dedanann.net. I have been hired by several stained glass studios to do outsourced work for them. I work with churches, restaurants and private clients in Rappahannock and nationwide creating unique and original designs in glass.
I have been teaching stained glass classes for 19 years. Throughout the past years I have been featured on the "Home and Garden TV Network" on the "Carol Duvall Show" and also on the "Virginia Living Television" for my stained glass work. I am a member of the Stained Glass Association of America.
I consider my work in stained glass a journey that continues to unfold. I am constantly striving to learn new skills. This art form has evolved so much since I first started; it continues to make me reach for something else to make my work more interesting and unique. I am dedicated to preserving the integrity of an old world art form, while combining the use of the technology of today. It is a pleasure to know that the work I do will live long past me and I will leave behind something to make the world a beautiful place.