Artist Statement
For as long as I can remember, I've been captivated by the way light moves through stained glass - the colors, the shadows, the quiet magic it casts on everything it touches. To me, light is alive. Unlike paint, where light and shadow must be recreated, stained glass transforms moment by moment, shifting with the sun and inviting movement into every piece. I'm especially drawn to working with scraps - small, beautiful, forgotten fragments with rich textures and stories still to tell. Taking something broken, or discarded and shaping it into something luminous feels deeply personal. Individually, the pieces may seem insignificant, but together they become strong, bold, and captivating.
My hope is that my work brings joy, whimsy, and childlike wonder - a reminder that there is beauty in the broken and magic in letting the light pass through.
Bio
In 2008 Katie started working with glass as a hobby. With no formal art education Katie spent many hours researching and practicing the art of stained glass. Katie specializes in the copper foil method (also known as Tiffany method) and enjoys mixing traditional stained glass with found/recycled items. Katie's inspiration comes from a variety of sources and is then transposed into the beautiful medium of glass. Her goal is to create pieces that inspire and bring colorful light and joy to others.
How is your art unique?
My work is unique because it begins with limitation rather than abundance. I primarily use scrap glass - pieces that are already broken, already shaped, and often overlooked. Instead of cutting from pristine sheets, I work with what I have on hand. Each fragment arrives with its own edge, curve, texture and history. Because the glass is preformed, I don't always impose a design onto it. I study the shapes, turn them in the light, and let them suggest what they want to become. A jagged triangle might become a beak of a quirky bird. A curved shard might become the wing of an insect. The animals emerge through imagination and intuition rather than strict patterning. This process means my pieces can't be replicated.
Once a scrap is used, it's gone. The exact combination of textures and colors will never exist in the same way again. I'm drawn to creating whimsical creatures from these fragments because it mirrors something human - how imperfect parts can come together to form something expressive, joyful, and unexpectedly beautiful. My work celebrates spontaneity, resourcefulness, and the art of seeing possibilities where others might only see leftovers.
