Sheffield Artist Debra Burrell talks to Volta Creative

Sheffield Artist Debra Burrell

We are very please to add Debra Burrell to our ever expanding list of “Fellow Sheffield Creatives”. Debra kindly agreed to a quick chat and showed us some of her amazing glass work.

We really love coloured glass and how it changes depending on the light – there’s something very up lifting and relaxing about a beautiful piece of glasswork.

Volta: Who or what inspired you to do what you do?

Debra: I’ve always loved glass, any brightly coloured formed or stained glass.

I first worked with glass during my teaching degree at Hallam University. I made a stained glass terrarium for one of my projects using Tiffany Foil method. I had friends who ran a stained glass business in Orchard Square 30 years ago.

I love Art, working with my hands and making things. My tutor didn’t believe me that I’d made it and I was furious. It was the most difficult and challenging thing I’d ever made.

Volta: What did you do before you did what you do now?

Debra: I used to work in an inner-city secondary school teaching Art. I loved the kids, my job and Art. I hated the politics, OFSTED, lesson observations, data and goal posts always moving. It sucked the life blood and joy out of my soul.

I knew I had to get out or learn something else as I was suffocating. I got to an age and thought is this it? Thankfully not.

Volta: Were you self-taught or have you had formal training?

Debra: I am mainly self taught.

I started at a night class for fused glass, run by the WEA. That’s where I met Krishna, a potter and an Artist teaching fused glass. I was hooked. I loved the uncertainty of it and often prayed to the kiln gods when putting a piece in. I learnt the basics and made a studio at home and bought my first kiln. I made a lot of mistakes, spent a lot of money on glass.

I learnt from my mistakes and got progressively better. I kept a journal, read books and carried on. The more I learnt, the better I got and was motivated and enthusiastically carried on. This was 10 years ago.

I now have a studio at Exchange Place, owned by Yorkshire Artspace.

Volta: What influence has living in Sheffield had on your creativity and how you approach your work?

Debra: There are so many creative people here that I’m privileged and honoured to know. Where I am now in Exchange Place Studios, there are plenty of creatives to bounce ideas off and get positive criticism from.

Volta: How did your current style develop and how do you see it developing in the future?

Debra: Because I have an Art background I wanted to put it to some use. I had some amazing projects I did at school and thought I could easily turn it to glass. I took photographs of nature, landscapes, trees and natural form. I was eager to adapt these into finished glass pieces.

I’m hoping to make bigger pieces, lamps and splash backs. I want to have more work in exhibitions, pop up shops and local Artists makers shops. Also developing classes teaching fused glass.

Volta: What piece of your own work gives you the most satisfaction and why?

Debra: There was one piece I sold years ago. It was supposed to be a freestanding sea piece with copper fish inclusions. I made a mistake popping it on the mould and ended up with a very happy accident. Something I’d never be able to recreate.

It had slid off the mould and the end had rolled up into a scroll. It looked like a wave.

Volta: What influence has living in Sheffield had on your creativity and how you approach your work?

Volta: Do other areas of creativity, such as music, have any influence on your work?

Debra: Always music, colour, Impressionism. I’ve got to have music when I’m working. It helps with my thoughts and creativity.

Volta: Can you remember the first piece of work you ever sold?

Debra: Yes it was Silver Birch Trees. Still make it today but much improved.

Volta: If you could choose famous one person to own one of your pieces of work, who would it be?

Debra: It’s got to be Grayson Perry. A funny, passionate man dedicated to his craft who in my opinion is one of us.

Volta: What advice would you give an aspiring fellow creative who was wanting to break through to the next level?

Debra: Keep at it, ask questions, keep a journal.