Artist Profile: DC Glass Artists

Margaret Halpin, Katherine Thomas, Anita Merina 

The four glass artists, Margaret Halpin, Merrilee Harrigan, Anita Merina, and Katherine Thomas display the vast range of visual possibilities in glasswork in the newest exhibit, "For Love of Glass", at Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church in Adelphi, Maryland, through March 18.

Each of the four artists show's her own style and preferences for techniques.  There is something for all tastes, painterly landscape and abstract works, bold craftsman style pieces and collaged and layered pictures. 

Glass is a tricky medium, brittle, heavy and often unpredictable, it is also a medium that plays beautifully with light.  Many of the works hung in on the Paint Branch UU walls were difficult to photograph, beyond my skill to capture the beautiful interplay of the lights from the skylights, windows and spotlights.  I definitely recommend that you try to stop by for a viewing.  Possibly schedule your viewing during one of their artist talks and learn even more about working in glass.

How did they do that?   Learn more on March 4 and March 18, DC Glass Artists will demonstrate  and discuss the techniques they use to create many of the beautiful pieces in the Paint Branch Exhibit For Love of Glass. They will bring samples and explain the magic that occurs in the high heat of the kiln.


March 4:  Fusing with silver, creating shapes on iridized glass, making glass stacks and reactions, and pattern bars

March 18:  Creating glass jewelry, screen printing and powder printing on glass, glass strips and more reactions.

The artist talks will take place 11:45 - 1 pm.

 

Find out more on their website or Facebook page.

Artist Profile: Dennis Herschbach

Dennis Herschbach is a retired education professor from University of Maryland.  As he approached retirement he wanted to explore an activity that could help his transition into retirement. Dennis always loved art and even got a minor in sculpture when he went to college. Both his father and father in law were artists.  So it was natural for him to investigate the art studios at the University of Maryland across the plaza from his office. It was there that he began to do independent study in painting with oils.  

Dennis believes art can transcend boundaries of belief and ideologies and he finds most of his inspiration from his garden and his travels. Of his work, Dennis says, 'I work a lot from nature, but I don't try to duplicate it; the camera can do a better job at this. Rather, I let nature guide me in the use of color, shape, line and space to create images that evoke a pleasant emotional response. Above all, I feel that a painting should be beautiful and speak to the inner self. I  strongly believe that it is through art that we can find the finest expression of what it is to be human.'

Some of my personal favorites are from his travels.  This yellow landscape is of farmer's fields in Kosovo.

"Caressed by The Summer Sun, Kosavo"  oil on canvas, 28.5" x 34" in

"The Green Tree", oil on canvas, 36" x 30" in

 This painting is the moonrise in Greece.  In life, this work almost glows from the layers of glazing applied to the canvas.

"Summer Moonscape, Alexandros, Greece" oil on canvas 36" x 30" in

Much of Dennis's work is also inspired by his garden.

"Spring Gold", oil on canvas, 36" x 29.5" in

Dennis's work is hanging at Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church at Powder Mill Road in Adephi, Maryland.  His opening reception is January 7th immediately following the church service, around 11:30. If you are interested in purchasing artwork, please contact Dennis Herschbach at drhersch@umd.edu.