Artist heats up Golden with fused glass creations

Artist Melanie Grafton, of Rowlands Glassworks has found an outlet for her creativity through making fused glass pieces.

Grafton produces a variety of pieces of fused glass creations that can be purchased at various locations, including the Art Gallery of Golden. The interesting glass works of art that she creates come in the form of pieces of jewellery, dishes and art.

The idea to channel her creative energy into producing fused glass art first came to Grafton when she was living in Whistler.

“Five years ago I was working at an art studio in Whistler, and a course was offered in fused glass. The pieces are made by working with sheets of cold glass, which you cut and shape to the form you want and then heat it in a kiln,” explained Grafton.

Prior to living in Whistler, Grafton went to the West Surrey College of Art and Design in Farnham, England, before completing a degree in Multimedia Design.

“I have been creative since a young age. I have always loved art.”

In addition to making a variety of jewellery pieces that utilize sterling silver, Grafton has expanded to try different techniques with the fused glass. She has experimented with using foils, paints and silver wrapping in her works.

“It is a really fun medium to work with because you don’t always know what you are going to get,” said Grafton, adding, “There are a lot of different techniques that you can do.”

The technique of fused glass allows the artist to create a variety of colours and effects depending on how the glass is layered before it is placed in the kiln. Although Grafton did not admit to a favourite piece, she did admit to a favourite colour.

“I like the blues, the blues and the greens. It reminds me of the water.”

Grafton has now lived in Golden for two years, and currently creates her art of a home studio. In the future, Grafton has ideas of teaching art again.

“I used to teach in Whistler, and I would love to do that again.”