Laureen Watjen

I am a glass artist and painter. Stained glass mosaic and Impressionist painting are my passions. The process for creating my original glass art is very similar to my painting. Typically in the field of stained glass, the artist is involved in creating the design and choosing the glass – beyond that an apprentice could take over and finish the piece. But in my creative process it would be difficult if not impossible for another to take over and finish a piece of my original glass art. Decisions on color, contrast, form, texture and the affects of light are made continuously as I progress with the work - just as when I create a painting. This process allows me to interpret my feelings and capture my unique impressions of the world. Mosaics and paintings that are rooted in Impressionism remind me of tapestries –little pieces of color fitted together to create an expressive whole. The many pieces of glass or daubs of color and line working in unison create the movement and emotion. My art is my connection between the real and intangible worlds. I relish the interplay of being able to capture my impressions of both worlds utilizing different media.   The medium is never the art, whether it be glass or paint, rather these are just the tools and the art is the truth of the soul, of my world expressed and witnessed, over and over. My objective is to create timeless works that inspire and connect people to one another.