Virginia Smith

When you are an artist, your life revolves around art and art revolves around your life.

I grew up in Toronto where I attended the Ontario College of Art. In 1988 I moved to the country to raise a family and hone my craft. Recent changes have brought me to Owen Sound and closer to the co-op community. My work is changing, it is more simplistic. I still love to work at home, but the view is very different. I create fused and lampworked glass using ancient techniques. These contemporary pieces are extensions of my experiences, ideas and passions focusing on concepts and simplicity. Each studio day brings in new ideas and new creations, although many ideas take a full year to fruition. Some pieces are purely decorative but many can be microwaved and are dishwasher safe. For a lifetime of use handle gently. Enjoy! Handmade in Canada!

Top photo:
The Dream Angel began as a forgotten glass piece on a star of hope (this became the body), the head was added, the wings and the halo were formed, the dream was complete. These Dream Angels are made with both kiln fused and lampworked glass, creating a very contemporary look.

2nd photo:
The Star of Hope and Dancing Stars are available in a new elegant crackle glass look. Also, don't miss the new Star Icicle!

3rd photo:
The tableware has changed to a more functional set: 8" bowl, 10" salad plate, 12" plate, 12" serving platter and a 19" boat platter. These pieces are microwaveable and dishwasher safe. They are light weight but durable and although the name is crackle they feel like patio ware.

4th photo:
A personal zen raked garden, for the office or home, choose from these themes: Life, Love, Health, Success or Serenity. Each garden comes with 3 inspirational stones, a rake and coloured sand. The garden is designed to help one to understand the meaning of zen. In it's simplest form it promotes spiritual and intellectual meditation. The sand is raked allowing a flowing or freeing of the self, a meditative process.

5th photo:
Elegance and spiritual serenity were the design catalysts for this series titled "New Leaf." The border reflects the balance of yin/yang. The cradled maple leaves symbolize the beauty of nature which influences our well being. The spiral is a symbol for the life cycle and gives the tableware a contemporary feel.

Each piece is fired twice; first to fuse the glass pieces together, then to slump them into shape. These pieces contain 10 K gold hand painted accents.

An archived Featured Artist page about Virginia is available here.

Contact information —
341 22nd Street West
Owen Sound ON
N4K 4E9
ph. (519) 370-2345
e-mail: virginiasmith@rogers.com