Deanna Clayton
Deanna Clayton was introduced to glassblowing 26 years ago as a college student. The excitement of creating in the moment and handling the material in such an intimate way drew her in for life. For over 20 years she created pate de verre vessels with electroplated copper. When her father passed away five years ago, she found herself modeling clay into a human form and casting her work. Deanna is represented by K. Allen Gallery in Sister Bay, Wisconsin.
Bucolic Woman II, 2013; 11h x 11w x 8d inches; cast glass and copper
Colorful, 2014; 9h x 6w x 5d inches; cast glass and copper
Aqua Vessel, 2016; 10h x 20d x 20d inches, pate de verre glass and copper
Internalized, 2013; 15h x 14 w x 9d inches; cast glass and copper
Boy, 1991; 11 x 12 inches; etching
I Wish, 2015; 10.5h x 11 w x 8d inches; cast glass and copper
I Wish (close up), 2015; 10.5h x 11 w x 8d inches; cast glass and copper
Youth, 2012; 10h x 17w x 10d inches; cast glass and copper
Youth (close up), 2012; 10h x 17w x 10d inches; cast glass and copper
We carry our burdens and joys on the same skin
and so much is held in our daily wrappings…
though the thread of our experiences weave our apparel,
only we know the comforts of our entrapments.
About Deanna Clayton
Deanna Clayton started working with glass 26 years ago as a student in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She began as most glass artists do, by being introduced to a blow pipe and a furnace of molten glass. Her work prior to finding glass was primarily drawing and printmaking, with an emphasis on representing the human form. She earned her associates in fine arts degree at Bucks County Community College.
Wanting to continue her education in glass and researching schools, Deanna chose Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, where the program taught by Henry Halem had produced some of the most successful glass artists working at the time. After two years at Kent State, she moved to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois where she graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor of fine arts degree in art history in 2002.
While attending the University of Illinois, she started her own glass studio with her husband, Keith Clayton. After 10 years in Illinois, in 1995 the couple discovered beautiful Door County, Wisconsin, where they moved and currently work and live, with their three children. Deanna is co-owner and operator of Clayton Castings, Inc. – Glass Studio. She also teaches glass techniques around the country.
The glass path Deanna landed on was building vessels created using the pate de verre technique and electroplated copper. For several years these vessels were in collaboration with Keith and were a successful source of inspiration to her for over 20 years.
When her father passed away five years ago, her art took another turn. Unexpectedly, she found herself modeling clay into a human vessel rather than a decorative one. The translation of the clay form into glass again harnessed the glass' ability to show life in the material. She often leaves soft, flowing edges at the base of the sculptures to add to the sense of impermanence. The electroplated copper is aesthetically pleasing, but it also ground the figures, enhancing their presence.
Today, Deanna's work can be seen in public and private collections around the world.
We are grateful to K. Allen Gallery, Sister Bay, Wisconsin, for providing the Artist of the Month.