Helen Robinson
DESCRIBE YOUR APPROACH TO TEACHING
My approach to teaching is through grounding students with an appreciation of stained glass as an historic medium, techniques which though timeless can be bent to the individual artistry of the contemporary practitioner. Stained glass is a complex art form requiring considerable technical as well as artistic skill. Having said that, as a beginner it is quite possible to create something beautiful and original given the right support. After an introductory talk in which I show students examples of both historic and contemporary windows to put the medium into context, I help them to develop their own designs followed by practical demonstration and supervision as they progress through the various stages of making a panel.
WHAT WILL STUDENTS GAIN IF THEY COME ON ONE OF YOUR COURSES?
Unless they have particular individual requirements agreed in advance, each student should complete a stained glass panel of approximately two square feet, any shape. They will gain an understanding of using translucent colour, very different to working on paper or other solid media. I encourage them to be original in their design and I provide source material for inspiration. I hope that by the end of the course, firstly they will have enjoyed themselves, secondly that they will have created something of beauty and finally that they will have the satisfaction of mastering technical skills and artistic considerations that will help them to appreciate this fabulous art form. As stained glass requires specialist tools my aim is to enable all beginners to complete a piece of work whilst on the course – so far all my students have achieved this! Those with some experience who have their own tools and workspace are welcome to work on something more complex and complete it at home if they wish.
ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR TECHNIQUES/PROCESSES YOU USE IN YOUR TEACHING?
Cutting glass into simple and moderately complex shapes. Use of lead and solder. If time permits students may include sandblasting to introduce surface texture to their work. On a longer course they may also be introduced to glass painting and the concept of ‘carving with light’.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR OWN WORK?
Stained Glass is perhaps the most powerful of architectural art forms bathing an interior with veils of ever changing colour, light and shade. From limpid blues to flaming rubies, light is harnessed and controlled by gritty painting and graphic lines of lead. I have gained most of my knowledge from studying historic windows and hold a firm conviction the study of old glass is fundamental to an understanding of the medium both enabling a sympathetic approach to work on a historic site and a contextual appreciation of contemporary glass. Because much of my work is site specific, inspiration comes from a wide variety of sources to suite the client. My personal preference is for rich colour and strong graphic lines, often inspired by nature.
WHERE CAN STUDENTS SEE EXAMPLES OF YOUR WORK?
1995 Stained Glass Lantern - Cheneygate, Westminster Abbey
1996 Stained glass door panel – College Garden, Westminster Abbey
1997 Memorial window, - St. Curig’s Church, Porthkerry, Glamorgan
1998 Four Seasons windows incorporating children’s designs – Manland Primary School, Harpenden
2000 Millennium window – St Hilda’s School, Harpenden
2004 Painted and stained glass porch – St. Thomas Becket, Northaw, Hertfordshire
2004 Memorial window – St. Michael and All Angels with St. James, Croydon
2005 Memorial window – All Saints, Downshire Square, Reading
2007 Memorial window – St Michael and All Angels with St James, Croydon
2008 Memorial window – All Saints, Downshire Square, Reading
2009 Herne Hill United Reformed Church
2010 Glass mosaic window – The Abbey Primary School, St Albans
WHERE DID YOU GAIN YOUR TRAINING/EXPERIENCE? (INCLUDE ANY QUALIFICATIONS)
Initially I was self-taught supplemented by attending numerous short courses; Manchester University Summer School, Flatford Mill, Swansea Metropolitan University Summer School and several at local colleges. I completed a post-graduate certificate in Architectural Glass at Central St Martins in 2003. As an active member of the British Society of Master Glass Painters I continue to attend their programme of lectures and conferences which I consider to be an on-going education.
WHAT TEACHING EXPERIENCE HAVE YOU HAD?
I have spent several years teaching stained glass at adult education classes, initially at Oaklands College in Harpenden and St Albans and more recently at West Dean. I have taught glass appliqué and glass painting to primary, GCSE and A Level students working on both decorative and architectural projects.
IS YOUR WORK IN ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE COLLECTIONS?
As well as the public buildings previously listed, I have a large portfolio of windows in private houses.
HAVE YOU WRITTEN ANY BOOKS/HAD ARTICLES PUBLISHED?
I have had several pieces of work published in two books; ‘Design Sourcebook Stained Glass’ and ‘Stained Glass in a Weekend’, both by Lynette Wrigley and most recently in the resume, ‘Glass at Central’ compiled by Hildegard Pax. My work has been featured in several magazines and journals notably the ‘Journal of Stained Glass’, ‘Church Building’, and ‘Museums and Heritage Magazine’ to which I also contributed an article on the use of historic sources as inspiration for contemporary stained glass design.
DO YOU BELONG TO ANY PROFFESSIONAL GROUPS/SOCIETIES?
I am an Associate of the British Society of Master Glass Painters and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass.