Kendra Schpok
Stained Glass
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“Inspired by natural forms, organic patterns, and internal landscapes, I strive to bring
unusual elements of surprise to each panel of this traditional craft.”
Kendra Schpok's fused glass paintings and elements for stained glass panels are made by combining different forms of fusible Bullseye Glass, which is produced in sheet glass, stringers, flat ribbons, rods, powders and frits (glass chips of various sizes from sand to pea pebbles) to make pre-made elements. After transforming the various forms of glass in the kiln the first time, these elements are additionally altered and combined to create the final image. Each fused glass image may be fired multiple times to achieve the desired effect.
Using only original designs, Kendra produces stained glass and fused glass paintings. A stained glass panel often begins with designing around selected natural objects or kiln-formed glass elements. A cartoon then is created in duplicate. One is cut up to be used as a template for hand-cutting each piece of glass. After cutting, each piece of glass is ground to ensure a proper fit, then wrapped in copper-foil tape. Once the glass pieces are arranged on the master cartoon, the pieces are fluxed, soldered, and colored with patina. Each panel is then framed, often in zinc came but sometimes in wood, before attaching hooks and signing.
Kendra is a life-long artist who first fell in love with stained glass in high school, which expanded to include glass blowing in college. As a consortium student at Rhode Island School of Design for a semester, she explored kiln forming techniques, stained glass, and glass blowing before graduating with a BFA in Glass/Ceramics from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1988. She has completed many residential and commercial stained glass commissions. Currently, she is studying fused glass painting with Narcissus Quagliata and is represented by fine craft galleries in Chittenden and Addison Counties in Vermont.
