James Cowley Glass Artist
James has trained with a number of world-class glass artists and uses fusing, slumping, murinne making and other aspects of kiln fired glass.
As a young teenager due to my parents’ hard work, life was good. But it was quite poor then and our aspirations limited.
One day I was standing in a room alone and light poured through a coloured glass window. I had never seen anything like it. How it made me feel allowed me to aspire for something different.
Over time I learnt a lesson that one should have a few pieces of art that help you feel, reflect, lift your spirits, motivate, calm.
For many decades, like many of us, I had no time available for much outside of work. But I had the privilege in work to listen to the aspirations of huge numbers of people. Many people seek balance, connection, peacefulness, and genuine beauty.
I STARTED ON A JOURNEY INTO ART.
Nearly two decades ago I decided I needed to learn something completely new. I learnt Silversmithing, Cloisonné and Plique-a-jour glass enamelling with a number of exhibitions along the way.
But the glass drew me in and I concentrated on being a kiln fired-fused glass artist. The way light works with glass, how colors change and the technical difficulties of making items all are a continuing challenge. I have also taken the decades of listening to all types of people to try to create glass that touches on our feelings; that helps us reflect on the big themes that impact our lives today; that keeps giving through its interaction with light.
I have been lucky to train with a number of world-class glass artists and now use fusing, slumping, murinne making and other aspects of kiln fired glass to create items that I hope others might find inspirational.
