An interview with UK artist Opal Seabrook. I’ve been a fan of Opal’s unique process for years, and I wanted to find out more about her inspirations, techniques and journey in glass. Opal’s use of colour and design layering are masterful, and she recently won The People’s Prize as part of the Celestial Bodies exhibition at the International Festival of Glass.
CD: Your style is so unique. How would you describe it and do you feel it’s something that's always in development?
OS: I like to think my work is always evolving as I like to challenge myself and push the limits with every piece I create. I also get bored easily so I much prefer to create one off pieces. It’s the designs and workings out that keep me on my toes - although the child in me is excited to see the end result of each project, even before I finish one project, my head is already designing the next.
CD: Your glass cutting and painted work is some of the neatest I've ever seen. Is it all done by hand?
OS: The painting is either done by hand or with stencils that I hand cut. As for the glass cutting, most of the pieces are also hand cut. I do have a Taurus Gemini ring-saw, but I keep usage to a minimum. I had a very strict stained glass teacher who taught me to cut glass. She made me cut out shapes and then hand grind them all, so I made sure I was as accurate as possible in the cutting to save hours of hand cramps. Unfortunately we lost her a few years back, but she was such a strong character and a huge influence that I swear she is always looking over my shoulder and tutting every time I use a machine.
CD: She sounds like a wonderful mentor, and how nice that you still feel she’s with you. What medium did you work in as an artist before you started with glass?
OS: Before I caught the glass bug I worked on pencil portraits, henna tattoos at music festivals, comic drawings, and intricate paintings on glass.
CD: What is it about glass that attracted you to it?
OS: There is so much that attracts me to glass... touch, shine, intense colours, danger, self achievement, and so much more. I mean, what is there not to like?
CD: True! Your work references pop art and comic book styles, are these conscious inspirations?
OS: Definitely. I love the simplicity of pop art and comic book styles, but there is such a boldness and strength that just draws me in. As a child, I used to create comic and caricature drawings. I love being able to bring this into my glass art.
CD: What would you say to other artists who love glass, but haven't yet found their style?
OS: Stay true to yourself. Although I have been influenced by others I always strive to be different.
CD: You've been working with glass for fourteen years, what keeps you interested?
OS: I try as many different techniques as I can find, and convert them into a way that I can use in my work. I’m like a sponge and find ideas everywhere I look. ie nature, architecture, illustration, engineering esp Victorian. I particularly like some of the ceramic techniques and have converted a few into glass. I often take on a challenge. If someone says something can’t be done in glass, I try to find the solution to make it possible.
CD: What do you hope to do next?
OS: I am looking forward to where the next year will take me. This year has been incredible, being selected for the British Glass Biennale and taking part in the wider International Festival of Glass. I hope to work on a number of exciting collaborations, to creating more gallery work, and to going ‘bigger and better’ wherever that will lead!
To find out more about Opal and her glass artwork, find her website here.
Catherine Dunstan is a glass artist and teacher working predominantly with fused glass. She also has seven years’ experience producing glass courses with local and international artists, booking them to teach in the UK.
The Resources for Artists blog speaks mainly to those working with glass, but its content is also applicable to artists working in other mediums.
© Catherine Dunstan Glass 2019. All rights reserved.
© Images Opal Seabrook