Susan Brooks
ARTISTIC DESIGN STUDIO

“I work in abstract form ~ Textures and Shapes give me inspiration. I like incorporating metal, fused, cast, or carved glass as well as sea shells and other elements found in nature. “

Glass  has always brought ideas and inspiration to Susan.  She likes adding elements which incorporate fused glass and sand carving. These  add to the beauty of each finished window and fireplace screen.

Susan begins her design with a sculptureal element. It might be a scallop or oyster shell or an interesting stone which catches her eye. In one piece, she is creating a sculptural fish with scales, then incorporating it in the design of her stained glass. She likes combining textures with transparency. By Layering glass and metal, fusing them together in a kiln, she creates stained glass pieces that are truly 3-dimensional.

Susan also sand blasts the glass to create an etched design such as a dragonfly or a ship’s wheel. Susan’s love of experimentation and her partnership with husband Wade keeps her inspired and working to find new ways of bringing her visions to life in glass.

 

Wade Brooks
ARTISTIC DESIGN STUDIO

“I am inspired by all the plants, living creatures, and the shapes and forms in nature. My work is an interpretation of these in metal, glass, and wood.“

Working with fire, whether at the forge with metal or in the glory hole with molten glass, Wade likes to form and shape both into functional and decorative art. Drawing inspiration from the flowing lines in nature, Wade’s furniture, metal pieces, blown glass, stained glass and sculptures are pleasing to the eye and complimentary to any home or office.

In the blacksmithing studio, Wade first draws a shape of the object to be made and then begins the process of forging. This may take from a few minutes to days depending on the size of the project. The piece is then assembled and finished.

Much the same process is followed in blowing glass, however blowing a glass ball goes much faster than forging a steel rose. Molten glass is gathered on the end of a blow pipe, built up, color added, blown and shaped to form a work of art. It must then be cooled very slowly to prevent breaking. Each of these processes permits a material which is solid and ridged to be pliable and easily shaped with very high temperatures.

Applying the hook to the top of a blown ball.

Wade and Susan both do lampwork. Each creating glass beads and other elements that they incorporate into their art work.

Making funky fish gives Wade much pleasure. Having spent his entire life on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay with commercial and sports fishermen in his family. He is obsessed with fish.

He uses his fish beads to make belt buckles, sculptures of underwater scenes, jewelry, and for sale individually.

Lynn Abrams
D”LYNN GLASS STUDIO

“The glass is so beautiful all by itself; tumbled, fused, foiled ~ the color is so wonderful. I love texture, color, all the little detail embellishments.”

The forms and textures found in nature,  intriguing shapes and rich surfaces of her surroundings inspire Lynn Abrams to create her exquisite glass pieces.

She combines bold, simple shapes using textures and surface decorations creating tactile elements with a delicate and natural flow.

Lynn, a native of Virginia, and has been a glass artist for two decades.  She has experimented with many art mediums. She incorporates her experiencein D’lynn Glass Designs.

Working with the materials is the most exciting part of the process for her.  She uses a diverse selection of glass to create one of a kind pieces, combining it beads and wire.

She designs are abstract, using fused, tumbled and foiled glass to infuse her love of color with style and grace.  This year she has added lamp worked beads to her designs.