By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
Sixteen hundred degree heat combined with acid, copper and glass. While Noosa resident Barbara Kelly does not consider herself a scientist, her passion for enamelling finds her regularly experimenting for her art. Moving to Noosa from Brisbane three years ago, the local artist will be sharing her creations with the community in an upcoming exhibition at Noosaville library.
Self-taught, Barbara has been taking on the style for the past 40 years.
“I was bringing up two small children, and so was house-bound and needed something to keep me entertained,” Barbara said.
“I came across a book on Limoge in France and became fascinated by the incredible art technique.”
“I started with jewellery and bowls, but then turned to painting for a greater challenge, and I’ve stuck with that for the last 20 years,” Barbara continued.
Intrigued by the science behind the art, Barbara loves to experiment with a wide variety of enamels and glass.
“It’s really about reactions of the copper, glass and immense heat,” Barbara said.
“I like that the glass has a mind of its own.
“You can put the painting in the kiln one way and you never quite know for sure how it will turn out.
“It can either surprise or disappoint.”
With each piece taking up to 10-12 hours of solid work, it is hoped that there are more success stories in Barbara’s kiln than not.
If her latest collection is anything to do by, then that has certainly been the case, the vivid colours of her works eye-catching from afar but even more intriguing closer up.
Interestingly, the kiln which Barbara uses for her pieces is the same one that she bought back in 1970.
“It’ll be interesting to see who retires first, me or the kiln,” she laughed.
Twenty of her pieces will be on display at Noosaville Library from 14 – 28 June.
