Eileen Martin, a glass artist currently exhibiting at The Arts Barn Invitational Gallery, is skilled in all areas of the glass art trade. Beyond free-standing glasswork, on-site stained glass restoration and repair work puts her fine-tuned expertise to use on existing structures. HGTV featured her commission work in an episode of the popular home and garden television show Curb Appeal.

Although the bulk of her work is commissioned stained glass, she does a fair amount of repair and restoration work. "I am one of the very few people in this region who do on-site restoration of stained glass, so you can periodically find me on scaffolding in a church in the area," says Martin.

Martin's work spans cold, warm and hot glass forming techniques and includes commissioned stained glass for churches, residences and businesses, as well as dishware, interior panels, jewelery and sculptural art. Swirls, stripes and dots of color coalesce into abstract compositions to suit all palettes. Beyond fine craftsmanship, Martin's creations reflect the range of materials and techniques available to a glass artist. In her highly-organized studio, traditional stained glass panels stand alongside Zen-like sandblasted sculptural pieces that explore opacity and balance. Vibrant stained- and fused-glass panels hang against the studio's curtain wall windows; they beam an artful agglomeration of translucent hues against natural light.

"I am inspired by nature in my motifs, but ultimately, my work is about problem-solving and transforming raw materials," says Martin who spent two decades working as a government contractor in the DC-area before delving into glass art.

After taking classes with Tony Glander, a glass artist currently in residence at The Arts Barn in Gaithersburg, she decided on a career change and opened her own studio/gallery in a barn in Olney. After a few years on her own, she joined what is currently VisArts, Metropolitan Center for the Visual Arts in the new Rockville town center.

"I wanted to be part of a community of artists. The plum blossoms fused glass folding panel on view at The Arts Barn was a collaboration with glass artist Janet Hines. Our work was inspired by the brush painting of the world renowned artist, Mr. Bertrand Mao, who is also a resident artist at VisArts. I have also collaborated with a ceramics artist, Seth Weisel," said Martin.

A full-scholarship student at The Corcoran School of Art since this past fall, Martin has been exploring multiple media in her work.

"My passion lies with glass art and sculpture. I am also trying to branch out, not be limited by glass and explore other materials like paper and metal," said the artist, who has been combining book-making techniques with metalwork in her studio art classes.

As a fused-, stained-, and mosaic glass art instructor at VisArts, Martin advocates and implements a project-based immersion approach. She teaches classes and workshops for adults and children and encourages them to explore mixed-media designs.

"I want my students to realize that they are just putting materials together, and that it's fun. I don't want them to be intimidated by the process or expect that the final result will be perfect. I just want them to have a good art experience," says Martin who has a relaxed manner and a witty sense.

Besides teaching, Martin also acts as a juror in glass and enamel guild shows, exhibits her own work independently and as a member of the National Capital Art Glass Guild, and serves as chairwoman of the Creative Crafts Council, an association of eight craft guilds. She has exhibited in over thirteen group shows. Last year, she also served on the Board of Directors of VisArts, where she has been in multiple member and resident artist shows.

She has owned her company, Martin Glass Creations, since 1997. Her work is on view at The Arts Barn until Jan. 17.

To learn more about the artist's work visit her website: http://www.martinglasscreations.com  

To find out about 2011 classes and workshops with Eileen Martin go to: http://www.visartscenter.org/adult.html#Glass