About Us

Verre de Louise

A few words about me and Verre de Louise

I am currently based in SW France, having moved from Cornwall, UK to France in 2018.

My background is a blend of the sea, swimming, surfing, and being obsessed with translucence – and how light can affect the landscape and one’s mood. Working with warm and fused glass allows me to indulge my passion for all of these aspects.

I lived by the coast for many years and yearned for the sea when I was inland. I draw great comfort and solace from settings where beautiful, ethereal light surrounds me, and I often find such qualities when I’m in or on – or merely near - the water.

I’ve always wanted to produce artwork, and my photography afforded me an outlet for this wish, but when I did a fused glass taster session in Devon a few years ago, I realised that this was what I really wanted to do. My professional background is within mental health and psychiatry, so my career change has been a bit of a leap into the unknown! But I am fascinated by the ways in which glass can transmit and reflect light, and I try to incorporate my fondness for translucence (and the sea) into much of my work.

I try not to focus solely on sea-influenced work, however, and also produce functional items such as coasters, bowls and plates, and work that can be enjoyed in garden settings – or wherever you wish!

But please do forgive me if the majority of my work ends up having some sort of connection with the sea and the coast.

I work in my studio at home here in France, using my kiln in different ways to manipulate the glass. I handcut the glass for each artwork. I then fire the glass at very high temperatures, varying the times and numbers of firings in order to produce different effects. Some of my artworks require multiple firings, and the firing-schedule itself can last for many hours: at least 27hours. My last sculpture was fired for 155hours! I also incorporate non-glass material into my work, such as copper and pewter, and I particularly like to experiment with ways of producing bubbles and other interesting effects within the glass.

That’s not necessarily the end of the process, of course, and I often coldwork the glass in order to achieve the desired outcome. This can involve many, many hours of slogging away and grinding and polishing – but it’s always worth it in the end!

I hope you enjoy browsing the gallery and shopping areas on my website – and do contact me if you have any queries!

Want to see what I create and the events planned?

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Contacts

+33 (0)55 39 15 419
louise@verredelouise.com

Shop Address

Le Grand Moucaud
24410, Saint Vincent Jalmoutiers
France