ABOUT THE ARTIST & CONTACT US
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With a lifelong interest and experience in drawing, painting and multimedia, Ilene Richardson has worked as a glass artist since 1981. The magic of colorful light shining through glass continues to be her focus in both glass beads and stained glass windows.
The complete collection of Ilene's artwork is testament to her grasp of structure, composition and rhythm. Her
pieces are built from gestural impressions and layered energetic
surfaces. Ilene's palette whether in paints or glass, reflects the
immediate feeling of light, color and luminosity. Her work is equally energetic, yet sensitive, combining colors, texture and form through potent color theory.
After graduating from The Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland, she located her art studio years ago, to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Her painting, stained glass windows and glass beads can be found throughout the United States.
As a self-representing artist, Ilene maintains this website and BLOG, in addition to working part-time as a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice. She often works late into the wee hours of the morning on her laptop, devoted to the many endeavors she creates.
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Traditionally taught at The Maryland Institute College of
Art focusing on drawing, painting and printmaking, it wasn't until a few years later the exploration into the art of stained glass began 1981. Further art
training continued years later at Eastern Virginia Medical
School in Norfolk, with a Masters degree in
Art Therapy. The experience of working with stained glass became the
foundation which led the journey into hot glass beads numerous years ago. Earlier
concentration in drawing and painting shifted to incorporate the myriad of
colors and textures in glass that now contributes to all of the art work.
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The Artist's Statement
My approach to working in glass, whether it is
stained glass or handmade glass beads, is with the eye of a painter, appreciating tonal qualities and
seeking the precise combination of colors in the glass. The process of working in
the flame is what I love. Each bead created teaches me even more about color,
form and the magical nature of working in glass. Each color of the bead is chosen
for the elegant quality of shadow and light that glows from within the glass. These elements gather in unison, fulfilling my artistic need to
create depth, movement and emotion through glass.
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Working with fire and glass has developed new ambitions for
me as an artist. Along with painting in watercolors and pastels, the process of making beads in the torch’s flame is what
I am in love with. The technique of taking rods of glass into the long
flame of a torch to make beads is now second nature to me. Handling molten
glass while teasing it into balance around a steel mandrel, letting
temperature, surface tension and gravity influence the end result, fascinates
me every time I sit at my torch. The more time I spend making hand
torched beads, the more the flame teaches me about glass and color. Time
passes by unnoticed, as hours of creativity are spent working in the flame.
All of my handmade torched beads are combined into jewelry using
a combination of various Swarovski crystals, semi-precious gemstones, sterling
silver and Bali silver beads, and occasionally
antique hand carved accent beads. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings are
available in endless combination of colors and designs. All of my beads are
kiln-annealed for many hours, which is critical to allow the molecules in the
beads to line up, decreasing internal stress in the glass and providing structural
integrity.
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CONTACT THE ARTIST
Use the form below or email directly ~ ilene @glassartist.com
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