Featured Artist Barb Mueller

Barb Mueller’s passion for glass art inspires her to create original works ranging from functional pieces to sculpture. Visit her website to see more from this talented artist.

 

 

My passion for art and design began early. Always drawing, I began oil painting at the age of fifteen. I enjoyed many traditional fiber arts as well, creating needlepoint and embroidery designs, hooking rugs, and cross-stitching. I earned an undergraduate degree in Studio Art/Art History. Then as a military wife, frequent moves every two to three years made maintaining a traditional career challenging.

 

 

I discovered stained glass and found an exciting outlet for my continuing desire to create and remain active in the arts. I taught Stained Glass and Calligraphy through Adult Education programs while raising my two daughters. During this period, I also earned a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design.

 

 

My professional career included establishing my own design firm, where I became an award-winning kitchen and bath designer specializing in Universal Design. I presented at national and international conferences and also taught at the college level at multiple institutions, including The Art Institute of Houston.

 

 

As the next step in my career, I returned to stained glass and soon became captivated by fused glass. The medium opened an entire new world of possibilities. While traditional stained glass is largely limited to assembling flat pieces, fused glass can be shaped, layered, textured, slumped, draped, and formed into three-dimensional objects.

 

 

I have immersed myself in classes and workshops, studying the techniques and processes of this multifaceted medium. As my skills expanded, so did my collection of glass, tools, molds, and equipment. I bought my first kiln, followed by a larger one, and began exhibiting and selling at local art and craft festivals, then eventually juried art festivals, as I delved deeper into more dynamic glass designs requiring more technical expertise.

 

 

Today, my home studio encompasses two rooms filled with glass, tools, molds, and worktables. I create and teach both stained glass and fused glass, including private lessons and courses through Art League Houston. I am also a member of several other regional art associations where I am able to collaborate with other artists in my field.

 

 

My artistic direction has recently been influenced by intensive study at two important glass institutions. I was honored to be selected to attend a course at Pilchuck Glass School, followed by a class on advanced techniques at Bullseye Glass Company. These experiences exposed me to new approaches, skills, and perspectives, further strengthening my desire to pursue glass as a fine-art medium.

 

 

My work ranges from two-dimensional to sculptural three-dimensional pieces. I create landscapes using ground glass powders—what I describe as “painting with glass”—as well as slumped dishes and functional forms, vessels, abstract wall pieces, and focal works. I frequently submit my glasswork in competitions and am proud to have won several Honorable Mentions.

 

 

At this stage of my artistic journey, I am increasingly focused on developing a distinctive body of fine-art glass work. My goal is to continue expanding my technical and conceptual expertise and to keep exhibiting in galleries and juried exhibitions.

 

Barb Mueller invites you to follow on Instagram and Facebook.

 

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