GLASS

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Leading Cornish glass artist Gregg Anston-Race creates his stunning contemporary glass at the Craft Fusion Studios on the banks of the River Tamar that divide Devon & Cornwall.

Gregg, who was born in Truro and now lives on the North Cornish coast is strongly influenced by the landscape and heritage of his native county, distilling into his glass art the essence of the Cornish countryside and organic colours created using the natural minerals that gave Cornwall its rich mining history.

After leaving College Gregg worked in, and ran, various art related businesses where he developed his passion for art glass. Several years ago Gregg opened his own Studio, Craft Fusion Ltd, near the source of the River Tamar on the Devon and Cornwall border.

Gregg can usually be found on the beaches around Bude with a surfboard in tow when he's not in the Studio.

Lorraine lives on the Somerset Levels near the River Yeo. Her glass journey began several years ago, discovering the craft purely by accident whilst working with other mediums. Following her initial training at Warm Glass UK, she has completed further courses and has recently returned to college to study Art and Design.

Her work is inspired by the beauty of the area in which she lives, both coast and countryside. She also finds inspiration within the glass itself, the colours, textures and variations are endless, even the chemical reactions can be quite beautiful.

Her love of colour shows in her original bold, bright designs.

For my glass landscapes I use an amalgamation of transparent, hand-made streaky glass, sheet glass, Frits and powders. These usually have several firings, cold-worked and often sandblasted remove the shiny aspect of glass. I feel sandblasting reveals an extra depth to detail and colour.

Born near Bath, I attained a BA Hons. Degree in Three-Dimensional Design from Bristol Polytechnic and went to work in exhibition design, graphics and marketing. After studying Applied Arts at NEWI, North Wales I started my 'second career' in glass.

My workshop is based in Wem, Shropshire not far from the Welsh border. It is this countryside, as well as the coastline of Pembrokeshire, that are a constant inspiration.

My work is inspired by the beautiful Somerset countryside and the nearby Jurassic Coast. I work with a large variety of coloured fusing glass to build up layers of colour. The glass is fused in the kiln at high temperatures. By varying temperatures and timings different textures can be created within a piece. I often like to include metals such as copper sheet and wire within my work. I am just beginning to learn the techniques of working with glass enamel powders which will enable me to achieve an even more diverse range of work. I make everything from large splashbacks, sculptures and wall panels to coasters and bowls, hangings and jewellery and anything else that takes my fancy along the way!

Glass is the heart of my items and what an incredible medium it is. Did you know it is actually classified as a liquid? There is something mystical about glass. It has its own mind and it can tell us so many stories. Static, yet ever changing.

My designs are all developed and individually handmade by me, therefore every piece is unique. I work with foiling and leading mostly but like to incorporate other materials and particularly enjoy metalwork creating everything from small ornaments, tall sculptures to domestic window panels.

Stephanie runs The Biggar Glass Works, based in Biggar, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.