Enjoy glass art with Julia Batten 

Liz Nicholls

Chesham artist Julia Batten tells us about her craft as she prepares to open her studios for Bucks Art Weeks, from 7th to 22nd June 

As far as finished materials go, few are harder and as brittle as glass. But, as artist Julia Batten understands, glass can be fused and moulded at the creative stage, which brings her endless joy. 

“Fused glass involves creating a design (which always evolves as I work), choosing and cutting coloured glass and then combining it to create the piece,” says Julia. “The work is then fired in a kiln at a very high temperature, which fuses it together as one piece. If the work is going to be a 3D piece, a bowl for example, it is fired again (this is called a ‘slump’ firing) to take the shape of a mould. 

“My fused glass art is very colourful! I enjoy strong shapes and bold designs and this is reflected in my work. Many of my pieces depict abstract designs, but I also have colourful cats and florals in my portfolio. I create pieces most weeks as I love being in my studio, listening to music, audio books or true crime podcasts!” 

Julia has created art since she was very little… “I went to school in Chesham in the 1970s and ’80s. My most inspiring teacher as far as art is concerned was Mrs Ronnie Powell, who was my favourite primary teacher. Thanks, Ronnie! 

“Apart from my time at university in Southampton, I’ve lived in Chesham all my life. I’m 55 and have been a primary school teacher and school leader for over 30 years. I currently work in school part-time, having walked away from my leadership responsibilities a few years ago. I have three sons and two stepsons, a lovely husband called Alistair and two very demanding moggies called Calypso and Penelope. 

“I still love drawing and painting, as well as teaching art to children. I discovered fused glass in my 40s and have never looked back! I’ve been an exhibitor in Bucks Art Weeks for several years now. I love welcoming people to my studio and talking them through the process of making fused glass, showing them my work and hearing their comments.”  

If you fancy giving glass art a crack yourself, Julia runs very popular workshops throughout the year. To find out dates, follow her on Facebook or Instagram, or email her on juliabattenglass@yahoo.com. She’s also available for charity, youth group or corporate bookings, as well as school art weeks. She wishes there were more local galleries and craft shops and would welcome the opportunity to show her work in a local gallery. 

To anyone who has a creative side they’d like to pursue, Julia’s advice is: “Go for it! You may have to experiment with lots of different art types before you find your ‘thing’ but do it!”