Art Glass Products- Emerald Artworks and Glass Designs, by Mary Hunt

Custom Art Glass
Mary Hunt • 605-680-0565

Emerald Artworks and Glass
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STATEMENT

In 1998, my husband and I decided a change for a less stressful life included re-locating. We moved our family and thriving art business “Emerald Artworks and Glass”, from Virginia to South Dakota. I bring 30 years of a wide range of mediums and techniques that I mastered through studying the texts from the master’s of old.

Over the years I made great use of the many workshops and courses offered throughout the country. I learned to tweak and perfect many of the techniques I use through sessions from Corning Glass and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Studying old church windows began me wishing I could paint on glass like the Old Masters.
My favorite glass painter is John La Farge of Tiffany’s studio. When I began researching his technique, I discovered that while the techniques he used are available, newer techniques were more successful for longevity of the artwork. I began my study in vitreous stains and enamels. I quickly assessed; there was more to painting art glass than a few brush strokes of paint over the medium.

Serious study in glass chemistry began. Working with glass through the high temperatures of a kiln, chemically alters the final composition of the glass. This knowledge provided me a deep bonding with the kiln. Working in the kiln allowed me to make the glass move. I could change the shape and add original designs to the vessels I began creating. I found there is a desire for distinguished unique pieces.

I had already been involved with creating custom glass windows in lead and copper foil techniques for my clients. As I listened to them muse. I learned they wanted more. They wanted different; they wanted unique tile designs and murals that would make a statement for their kitchens and bathrooms.

I began murals in tile through mosaics. I like mixing mediums of ceramic and stone with glass. As well as ‘painting’ a simple mural or a design on squares of glass for tiling. My techniques for staining and enameling glass are handy, as they render the tile designs as permanent. Sometimes less is more. I needed a simpler, softer approach for privacy and light diffusion. To keep a contiguous design element I blasted.

Sand blasted or etching softens the surface and if a colored cathedral glass is used, we keep the same color scheme. However, how about a design?
Blasting designs in the glass creates an element of soft sophistication, and offers a different approach for textural design. The variety of textural statements keeps me inspired and motivates my desire to keep gathering the new techniques and incorporate them into statements of elegance and style.

As I gain command of a technique, a lot of experimenting happens. Many of the experiments become worthy examples of art. From time to time, I have entered original art pieces in an art competition and show or two. I came away with a few awards for design and composition. This allowed me an honor I will not soon forget. To show some of my work in the Dacotah Prairie Museum located in Aberdeen, SD.

I have a strong desire to create through painting canvas and walls and working with glass. However, I have a stronger desire that I do this to the best of my ability. By having a trained knowledge of many mediums and an astute awareness of the current trends with the technical expertise to execute and produce a fine product, I am able to leave a part of myself that brings pleasure both to me and to my clients.

Welcome to my Website, please enjoy the tour.

Please call or use the Contact US Form, for an appointment to consider my work for your gallery, consult on a project, or request a portfolio.