Artist creates works of wonder
Nicci Lawrence's creativity spills out of the box to create fantastic worlds on glass.
Illuminated by the multi-coloured fairy lights, Nicci Lawrence’s glass paintings look like they come straight out a fantasy world and bring wonder to every one of her customers. Nicci started glass painting more than 20 years ago in Durban.
“I’ve been doing it on and off since then. I only started back up again in Johannesburg about three years ago,” she began.
“I used to do stained-glass paintings and when I went to the art shop in Pretoria, they had a lot of glass painting items. I bought myself a book and I started teaching myself because at that stage I couldn’t really get anyone to tutor or show me what materials to use or what to do. “
She listed cats as one of her favourite subjects to paint and this is backed up by her five cats at home. She also incorporates nature, wildlife and fantasy objects from movies such as Harry Potter. A lot of the proceeds from her sales go towards animal rescue causes.
The Honeydew residents shared that the length of her work depends on the surface. “If it’s a flat surface, it is relatively quick. If it is a curved surface it will take about a day or two. The item is leaded first and then it’s painted. After the paint has dried for about 24 hours then I put on a clear varnish. It also depends on size.”
She said she enjoys painting hanging globes, lanterns and bottles. Once the glass product has been transformed by Nicci’s creativity, it comes alive when the LED light is switched on. She specifically works with glass because other material such as plastic causes a chemical reaction with the paint.
Nicci’s creations can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Minx0846740734/ or at local markets where she works with her daughter, who is quite the creative herself, although she usually paints on canvas.
