Janine Partington
I came late to enamelling. Following a BA at Sheffield Polytechnic in History of Art, Design and Film and an MA at Leicester University in Museum Studies in the early 1990s, I took up a career as a museum curator. However, whilst taking a break to have children I took a part-time course at Filton College, Bristol in enamelling. I am now a full-time maker with outlets including Rostra Gallery in Bath, The Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Bovey Tracey, The Craft Centre and Design Gallery in Leeds and the Gallery on the Square in St Ives.
My work combines the traditional craft of enamelling with fresh, clean, contemporary design to create framed panels and jewellery.
Enamelling is the art of fusing glass on to metal. It is durable, strong and colour-fast. I create intricate hand-cut stencils which I then lay on to copper. My stencils are inspired by trees, flowers, seedheads and landscape. After sifting the powdered enamel over the stencil I fire the piece at 800°C. This process is repeated many times until the work is finished. Whilst I reuse stencils, no two pieces are identical due to the nature of the process.
In November 2007, I had work accepted for the Autumn Exhibition at the RWA, Bristol and was shortlisted for their Emerging Artist Award.
I was elected as a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in 2007.
I have taken part in the Southbank Arts Trail since its inception in 2003 and have acted as Co-ordinator for the Trail since 2006.
For information about exhibitions, events and to view my designs for panels and jewellery, please visit www.janinepartington.co.uk. You can also contact me by calling 07742 740642 or emailing mail@janinepartington.co.uk. Home studio visits are welcomed.