Tracey Sheppard - Fellow of the GGE
Email: tracey@traceysheppard.co.uk
Website: www.traceysheppard.co.uk
Instagram: tracey.sheppard_
Title: St Michael’s Church, Northchapel. South Doors.
Technique: Sandblast, Acid etching and Drill.
Photographer: Nick Carter
Size: 1600 x 2300mm
Glass: Lo-iron toughened.
Explanation: These doors which were commissioned to allow light into the church and make it more welcoming, and to celebrate the life of Michael Henty, a parishioner.
The vine was chosen as the central motif. An ancient Christian symbol, and singularly suitable for a family which has, for many years been involved in importing fine wines!
Words from John 15:5 ‘I am the vine…You are the branches’ were settled upon. The lettering layout is designed to be read from both outside and inside the building.
In addition to this central feature various other emblems, significant to the life of Mr Henty are incorporated. These are:
The Madonna lily (from the Eton coat of arms),
Two angels from the Mappa Mundi (Mr Henty was Chancellor of the Diocese of Hereford) and the family coat of arms are enclosed in vine leaves.
A bell hangs from the tendril at the top of the vine. Bells have summoned the faithful for generations. Its inclusion also commemorates the fact that Michael Henty was a Bencher at Lincolns Inn where, traditionally, the bell would have tolled at his passing.
The original design proposal was drawn up to full scale in finite detail on layout paper before being transferred onto the glass in preparation for a combination of engraving techniques.
Sandblast first. I hand cut the stencils with a very sharp scalpel.
Acid etching next. I painted on resist (embossing black) to protect various sections from the attentions of the acid.
Finally, I added all the details with a variety of abrasive stones, diamonds and polishers using the drill.
Title: Family Home
Technique: Drill
Photographer: Tracey Sheppard
Size: 22cm wide x 30cm long x 8.5cm high
Glass: Dartington Pebble Bowl.
Explanation: This bowl was commissioned to mark a special birthday and to celebrate a much-loved family home. The brief given was that I should include as many important elements from a list provided as possible. It is not intended to be straight forward house portrait. Rather, it is a personal record of many, many happy memories and the visual reminders of them.
The design is first carefully drawn on the underside of the bowl using a spirit-based pen. Then almost everything is back engraved to be viewed through the thickness of the glass. There are one or two elements which spill onto the front to draw the viewer into the scene.
The whole is then drill engraved using a combination of abrasive stones, diamond burrs and polishers.
Title: Happy and Glorious
Technique: Drill
Photographer: Tracey Sheppard
Size: 18.5cm
Glass: Small charger blown by Neil Wilkin
Explanation: A small, personal celebration of a big event. A nod to my love of illuminated manuscripts. Designed to bring together the majesty, history and traditions of the monarchy with the joy and fun of the street parties and special community events held across the nation.
Back engraved using a selection of abrasive stones, diamond burrs and polishers.