At the end of April 2023 I sold one of my businesses to concentrate on more teaching and to produce my own work.
Since then it's all been a bit of a whirlwind!
I took part in the 'New Beginnings' Exhibition at Prior in Cabots Square, Bristol where I had to make my first collection and this gave me the bug to make more!
I then changed the old business premises into a Gallery in time for my first BAW and hosted 5 other artists which was a great experience.
I got selected for the Flux Review which is an international magazine and had a 6 page spread.
My work then got noticed by Woburn Gallery and several pieces can be found there.
In June, I designed my own wall hung light panels. After 6 months of trials and errors and a fair bit of investment, my bespoke easy to install light panels were produced, just in time for my next exhibition!
In December, I got selected for the Flux Review 10th Anniversary Christmas exhibition in Picadilly, right beside Fortnum & Masons and opposite the Royal Academy. This is where I launched my new collection of light panels and vases of flowers in bespoke hand blown vases by Allister Malcolm. The experience, feedback, exhibition itself, and support of all the other artists was amazing and I feel truly honoured to have been part of that journey and an amazing way to finish off the year. Lots of great things are now happening because of that exhibition.
2024 is jammed packed full of wonderful glass and ceramic adventures, both teaching and exhibiting.
We kick the New Year off by curating our own exhibition in Leicester at CAN HQ, Coalville 13th-24th March . During my glass journey I've met some wonderful and very talented artists where we have kept in contact and decided it would be a great experience to lead our own exhibition as part of our learning experience. Each artist has something useful to bring to the table so all our skills and knowledge will get the chance to excel along the way as we share our information and teach one another.
In April, I will be exhibiting back at the Prior, Cabots Square, Bristol 26th - 9th May for the 'freedom' exhibition.
Just before Christmas, I was thrilled to learn I had been accepted for the RHS Craft In Focus events and will be attending RHS Wisely May 2nd - 6th, & RHS Hyde Hall in Chelmsford 23rd - 26th August. A completely different kind of experience which i'm really looking forward to.
This June I'll be doing BAW 8th - 23rd June and hosting 7 artists. We have four new members, two working in ceramics, one in oil paintings and one in photography with a creative twist. We are starting to make things and plan for the event which is all very exciting.
In October, 4th-16th, I'm back at the Prior, Cabots Square, Bristol, curating and exhibiting with my pals from the Leicester exhibition for our second time.
For December, I'm waiting to hear about an exciting opportunity to showcase my work at an exciting new venue for a Christmas Fair, so I can't say much more about that at the moment until things are firmed up.
This year, I've joined the Sculpture Society and have secured training with two top artists. I've also dedicated a play day once a month with a local friend who loves anything to do with clay so we can make more use of my pottery studio and share idea's.
I am a kiln-formed glass artist and teacher based at my lovely spacious studio and Gallery in Rowsham, Buckinghamshire, UK. Surrounded by the beautiful Chilterns known for its outstanding natural beauty, but never too far from London or Oxford, I find my inspirations and interests are sparked by both rural and urban environments. I have a fascination for all things vibrant and colourful, and this is the aesthetic I am drawn to in my work, picking out details with bright colours and textures, regardless of the original inspiration.
My design process, which continues to develop as I experiment, utilises a variety of glass fusing techniques. Many of my artworks require multiple firings, to bring various textures and inspirations into my glass. Much of my work involves layers or intricate placement which have been meticulously pieced together to create maximum impact and form heightened, stylised imagery. Texture is important. Glass is tactile, and I hope my work invites you to touch it. I create both functional pieces and decorative artworks.
I teach courses at my well-appointed studio. As a teacher, I love nothing more than to share my enthusiasm and show students what they can achieve and how to overcome their own boundaries. It’s so rewarding to see their confidence grow and the beautiful things they make. The workshop offers students a truly unique experience with the added benefit of having its own pottery which means it’s possible to incorporate a course where students are taught to make bespoke moulds, meaning the possibilities for shaping the glass are limitless. The workshop boasts three kilns and extensive professional equipment as well as having a beautiful bright and spacious gallery space to showcase works of art.
My work is currently available to view at Woburn Mosaic Gallery.
Katrina Shearlaw
Mobile: 07971 480 793
Email: Katrinashearlaw@gmail.com