Chantal Kelly Stained Glass
Hi, I’m Chantal Kelly, thank you for taking the time to visit my website.
Here’s a bit about my background…..I spent most of my working life teaching Geography in Berkshire until 2007 when, after almost 30 years at the same school I decided I had to find out what I could have been doing with my life had I not gone into teaching! Much to the surprise of friends and family my husband and I upped and left to follow the dream and moved to Derbyshire and in 2010 and we bought an old Edwardian house in need of TLC; after doing the essentials like rewiring and replumbing I felt it was also in need of some stained glass windows on the doors. I enrolled on a stained glass course and in the last ten years I have transformed myself from a geography teacher in Berkshire into a stained glass artist |
living in Denby Village near Belper!
I produce freestanding stained glass panels and decorative accessories using traditional leading and copper foil techniques. I love the colour and vibrancy of glass and that when I work in leaded glass I use techniques which would have been familiar to the men making the windows in medieval churches and this sense of history and craft is important to me whether making abstract or figurative designs.
With my abstract pieces I aim to capture the excitement of modern art using glass, rather than paint, to form vibrant blocks of colour in different shapes and textures. The abstracts are inspired by work seen in churches in Iceland, Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and, of course, by the glass itself as no two pieces of glass are the same. Figurative work is inspired by the Derbyshire countryside and the buildings within it such as Heage windmill and Crich Stand, both very familiar to people who live and work on the southern edge of the Peak District.
All my works are designed as freestanding panels which are displayed in handmade oak frames or stands which allows the work to be displayed on a table or bookshelf illuminated by a lamp or on a windowsill…..the choice is yours.
I produce freestanding stained glass panels and decorative accessories using traditional leading and copper foil techniques. I love the colour and vibrancy of glass and that when I work in leaded glass I use techniques which would have been familiar to the men making the windows in medieval churches and this sense of history and craft is important to me whether making abstract or figurative designs.
With my abstract pieces I aim to capture the excitement of modern art using glass, rather than paint, to form vibrant blocks of colour in different shapes and textures. The abstracts are inspired by work seen in churches in Iceland, Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and, of course, by the glass itself as no two pieces of glass are the same. Figurative work is inspired by the Derbyshire countryside and the buildings within it such as Heage windmill and Crich Stand, both very familiar to people who live and work on the southern edge of the Peak District.
All my works are designed as freestanding panels which are displayed in handmade oak frames or stands which allows the work to be displayed on a table or bookshelf illuminated by a lamp or on a windowsill…..the choice is yours.
I also enjoy making decorative home items such as the butterflies which have become my signature piece and seasonal gifts and decorations, especially at Christmas when I have created designs to show off the glass to its best effect and create the warm glow of the season.
The greatest pleasure is the look of wonder when someone approaches my stall for the first time with wide eyes and literally doesn’t know which piece to look at first…the magic of glass and light….Perfect
Please ask me if there is any piece you would like to know more about or if you would like to commission a truly unique piece of art.
The greatest pleasure is the look of wonder when someone approaches my stall for the first time with wide eyes and literally doesn’t know which piece to look at first…the magic of glass and light….Perfect
Please ask me if there is any piece you would like to know more about or if you would like to commission a truly unique piece of art.