Glass artist Deborah Barnard of Barnard Griffin Winery is casting new light on the world around her
I sat down with Deborah Barnard, glass artist and co-owner of Barnard Griffin Winery, at her studio and art gallery on Tulip Lane in Richland on a sunny Saturday morning om 2009 to gather some insight into her evolving wizardry with fused glass. Modest, unassuming, yet energetic and confident, Barnard radiates with artistic curiosity and a passion to try new techniques. Her beautifully crafted glass art reflects the world around her—everything from beach shells to flowers to wine. You can visit her art gallery located inside Barnard Griffin Winery & Tasting Room, open to the public 7 days a week. – The Editor
On artistic evolution: I first realized I wanted to be a glass artist about six years ago. I had started making glass beads as a hobby and that evolved into taking courses at Bullseye Glass Company in Portland, Oregon. Along the way, I began to notice what others were doing with glass, and realized I had the skills, ability and imagination to take my art in a different direction.
On fused glass: Part of the intrigue for me is that, as a medium, glass is never absolutely the same all the time. There are so many things you can do with it. You can theorize all you want, but you can get reactions within glass—different kinds of glass, different colors of glass—that you didn’t expect. It’s kind of like Christmas, you never know what’s going to be under the tree.
On inspiration: A lot of it comes from what I observe around me. If I see colors or patterns either in fabrics, nature, or other combinations, I’ll jot them down in my notebook and keep the colors in my mind until I return to the studio. For example, I was inspired by a sofa I saw in the hotel lobby where we stayed on a trip to the Caribbean. The fabric was this fantastic bright orange with bright green-colored squares. When I got back to the studio, I created it into a glass design.
On artistic ability: The only person to get in the way is yourself.
On exploration: Experimentation is part of my journey. Some artists do only one thing and I like to try it all. Right now I’m getting into casting and doing some kiln carving—where you heat the glass in a mold you make out of clay and then remove the mold.
Famous influence: The Dutch painter, Piet Mondrian, especially his grid-based compositions.
Just for fun: We travel quite a bit and enjoy water sports like scuba diving and snorkeling. We were in Florida and I got some great color combinations while there. I found beach shells that I want to try to incorporate the design into the glass, using the kiln clay mold technique. We’ll see how that works…
Down the road: I hope to still be teaching because I love the interaction with lots of interesting people.
Bio: Born in Modesto, California, Deborah Barnard attended graduate school at the University of Wash. She married Rob Griffin in 1980, whom she had first met as an undergrad at UC Davis. Together, they started Barnard Griffin Winery in 1983, which today produces 75,000 cases annually. Barnard pursued a career in healthcare administration until 1995, when she joined her husband fulltime to assist in running the winery. She is an active supporter and volunteer with the American Cancer Society.
Interview by John Vitale