MEET THE ARTIST

Clare Mills grew up in Derbyshire and from an early age showed a natural aptitude for art and creativity. Always experimenting with different crafts and media, she exhibited drawings and paintings for a number of years at the Great Sheffield Art Show.

A fascination with stained glass developed from observing the restoration of the fire damaged Rose window at York Cathedral. Inspired by the potential of glass, with its combination of beauty and functionality, Clare set out to learn the skills necessary to become a stained glass artist. The combination of creativity and practical skills needed to take a project from initial idea through to final installation made full use of her unique abilities, including construction skills developed during a period of property development.

After several years producing stained glass as a hobby, she went on to spend a year working alongside an established stained glass professional. Here she assisted with repair work in churches, producing painted glass panels, experimenting with sandblasting and glass fusion, undertaking repairs to badly damaged panels and creating new stained glass from design to installation.

Setting up Ember Glass Studio in 2007 has given her the freedom to refine her own individual style. Working largely on private commissions for windows and panels, she also enjoys developing and exhibiting more sculptural pieces of glass art that bring beauty and light to the internal and external environment. A love of travelling and the natural environment strongly influence her work and she is constantly experimenting with new techniques and combining glass with other structural materials.