Featured Artist: Wendy Campbell, Sumner WA

I’m a glass artist from the Pacific Northwest, where the region’s forests, coastlines, and ever changing colors often fuel my imagination. My journey into glass began when I encountered a unique stained-glass piece in a local art gallery—a piece that captivated me with its vivid color, texture, and luminous storytelling. That spark of inspiration quickly grew into a desire to learn and create.

Oil lamp

With no formal training, I did what so many people do, and began my journey with YouTube tutorials and online communities. I started with a stained-glass project as my first artistic foray; one I still return to occasionally and with many more tools in my belt. But everything changed after a two day glass fusing class opened my eyes to an entirely new way of working with a now familiar medium. The experience ignited a deep love for fusing and set me on a path of continual exploration.

What began as curiosity soon grew into a full fledged passion. Today, my work reflects the joy of discovery that first drew me to the medium. Each piece is shaped by my willingness to learn, explore, and push beyond the familiar.

My artistic range is as varied as my sources of inspiration. I love trying new techniques, materials, and processes, and that allows my work to evolve in surprising and exciting ways. While stained glass remains part of my toolkit as you can see in the picture of the sword, my primary focus now centers on two areas that have most captured my imagination: powder based glass “paintings” and glass casting. I also find creative energy adding recycled materials—everything from discarded glass fragments to damaged violins that I transforms into award winning works of art.

Recently, I’ve been exploring how different mediums can combine, leading to new and innovative creations. My current favorite—a battle worn sword and shield—brings together fusing, stained glass, glass casting, and reclaimed materials in a single dramatic piece. It perfectly reflects my artistic philosophy: embrace the unknown, combine the unexpected, and let curiosity lead the way. As I continue to experiment and create, I hope my work will remain a testament to the endless possibilities of glass and the joy of lifelong learning. (Wendy shows her work in the Members’ Gallery)

Glass in a discarded violin body