GALLERY

JANINE PARTINGTON

Bristol based artist, Janine Partington learned the art of enamelling through evening courses and in 2005 she bought herself a kiln and set up a studio to be able to devote more time to pursue her interest. Her work has been immediately successful at fairs around the country and now here at the Rostra Gallery.

Enamel is an unusual and attractive medium. The process involves applying vitreous clear or coloured powdered glass to metal, in this case, copper, and heating it to 800c in a kiln. The glass melts and fuses to the metal making it a very durable piece. The piece has to be heated each time a new colour is added. The colours are rich and do not fade.

Janine does not overplan her work. She is inspired by nature for the most part and loves to depict various flowers, leaves and trees. Much of the work is intuitive and abstract but for the more figurative pieces she does make her own stencils if the design is one she particularly likes. She says “the joyful thing about enamel is how though you think you are in control of the heat and materials, in the end those elements share that control…and it miraculously transforms into this delicious, glowing, shiny thing!”

Janine makes enamel panels mounted on board as well as a range of jewellery. She is happy to take on commissions both large and small.