Mary Quarmby - Glass Artist

(c) Mary Quarmby

I live in Wiltshire with my husband, two children and dog. I’m a contemporary glass artist and use fusing and slumping to complement traditional methods of glassworking, thereby creating unique vibrant and dynamic works. I believe that everything has energy and a rhythm and I draw my inspiration from nature and travels.

I’m very happy to work with clients who have their own ideas and welcome their input. I have led workshops in schools and then reproduced their designs in glass.

I was lucky enough to be brought up in a very creative environment. Growing up my sisters and I were encouraged to knit, sew and garden and I developed many of these skills further.

Some attempts were more successful than others, but what I always loved was the way I could use colour. Further evidence of this came in the form of many coloured garments which I made for my daughter as she grew up.

My first experience with glass was when I was given a glass kit for my fortieth birthday. I found a teacher and she taught me the basics, However, I longed to explore the possibilities glass offered in greater depth, and I began experimenting on my own. My life changed when I went to college. I enrolled at Bath College on a City & Guilds Decorative Glass course. An important part of the course was a formal art class. Having been away from formal education for a long time, this was sometimes challenging, but it was an extremely beneficial experience.

The course offered a fantastic opportunity to explore a range of techniques I had never previously tried. You could describe this as the point where I began to involve myself in pairing new techniques with more traditional methods. I now have my own studio where I can create things of beauty.

I believe colour is an important part of our life be it natural or man-made.