MEET THE ARTIST
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Amy Valuck
Glass
4843-266-596
Chester County
I combine traditional stained glass techniques with imagery influenced by botanical illustration and geometry. I have worked as a conservator of stained glass for over twenty years, and I also draw inspiration from the historical church windows I have been privileged to restore. My process starts with a sketch, which I convert into a full size pattern and a set of templates. I select colors of sheet glass and hand cut each individual piece. Working over a lightbox, I add detail using vitreous (ground glass) paint, which is kiln fired for permanence. Painted pieces typically go through three to four firings to achieve depth in shading. Lastly the pieces are assembled into a panel and soldered. It can be a lengthy, challenging process, but it is very rewarding to capture and transform color and light with a few hand tools and basic materials.