email: pat.Johnson@enamel.demon.co.uk

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by glass and jewellery. When my husband bought home an old enamelling kiln from a junk shop, I immediately became hooked!

I work primarily in silver, using cloisonné and champlevé techniques. I like to texture the enamel base by engraving or even occasionally the uneven surface that can arise from using a fast etch method. I like to mix and ‘paint’ with enamel, adding oxides and fine gold and silver foils. I often have a very detailed picture in my head of how the finished piece will look. Sometimes I prefer to let it develop as I go to achieve a greater spontaneity.

My travels in India and books I have read (especially Arabian Nights) are my most important source of inspiration. The world of towering spires, glowing colours, shimmering domes and magical palaces have had a profound influence on my work. More recently I visited Venice and the faded grandeur of beautiful palaces, gradually crumbling and sinking into the lagoon, led to the creation of the ‘Silver Palaces’ range of earrings and necklaces.

Exhibitions include:

Alistair Gill Gallery, Bristol

"Contemporary Enamel Artists", Bilston Craft Gallery

"Jingles", Grace Barrand Design Centre, Nutfield’

"Process", Sutton College of Learning for Adults

"Contemporary Glass on Metal", The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock.