Hi! I’m Emily. I’m a sculptor/craftsperson living and working in Winchester, VA. I have a sculpture degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and have been making stained glass off and on for over 10 years. Covington Glass Co. was a long time in the making, but in 2020 it’s finally happened! With this new venture, I finally get to explore the combination of pop-culture iconography with the traditional medium of stained glass. Star Wars, D&D, cartoons, and science fiction are all things I’m interested in turning into stained glass. I’m officially open for business, but adding new patterns all the time. If you want a custom piece or have a commission in mind, please let me know! Excelsior!
Is there a story behind your business name?
Covington is my middle name! I've always loved it.
What is your medium of choice?
Stained Glass
Is there a story behind your business name?
Covington is my middle name! I've always loved it.
What is your medium of choice?
Stained Glass
Why have you chosen your current medium?
I love the history and iconography of traditional stained glass. Additionally, as a sculptor, the process and physicality of creating stained glass also really drew me to the medium.
What's your typical day?
I'm a digital marketer by day, stained glass artisan by night. My studio is in my garage, so after I put my son to bed I head out to watch action movies while I make stuff.
Why do you feel your art/craft is important/relevant today?
The act of making something tangible is not as common as it once was. I do love digital media, but there is something special about using your hands to create a tangible object. Improving your craft over time gives you discipline in a way nothing else quite does.
What has been the most difficult challenge for you as an artist/maker?
Finding a work/life/art balance.
What is the most gratifying part of making your work?
Seeing the finished product light up in the sun.
Where do you find inspiration?
Pop-culture, sci-fi, D&D, Tattoo iconography, Comics, Cartoons
Where is your studio/work space?
My garage
What's your typical studio playlist?
I generally watch movies instead. I keep the Star Wars Prequels in heavy rotation along with LOTR, and action movies like Tombstone, Escape from New York, and Blade
How do you get yourself out of a creative rut?
Just starting to work. The hardest part for me is conceptualizing and pattern-making. So if I'm in a rut, I'll head out to my studio to get my hands on some material and that definitely helps.
Favorite blog/movie/tv show/book that never fails to inspire or just clears the mind:
Books: The Dune Series / Movies: Star Wars Prequels
Share your process - bonus points if there's a story behind it:
Stained Glass is all about the process! Each step is very different from the others. I like to organize my time around each step, like I carve out a chunk of time to cut glass on one day, wrap foil around multiple pieces another day, etc. I actually did production work for a company that makes stained glass transoms, doors, etc and I got a lot of insight from my time there.
What's your dream project - if you had all the time and materials in the world?
My dream project would be a church-style Dune window. Full-size with etched glass–the works.
What artists influence your work/who are your creative idols?
Yves Klein, Chris Foss, Ron Cobb, Ralph McQuarrie, Simon Roy
Describe yourself in 5 words:
Tall, Nerdy, Crafty, Funny, Maker
Describe your work in 5 words:
Pop, Nerdy, Ironic, Craft, Light
Tell us something funny or exciting that has happened in regards to your artwork/craft:
Well stained glass is a very bloody business between the cuts and the burns and the poisonous liquids. The most exciting things are probably all of my grievous injuries. I also chipped my tooth tying some leather cord to attach a piece, too.
How do you find balance?
I have no idea. It seems like a constantly moving target.
Is there anything you'd like the public to know about your work upon purchasing it?
Please don't hang heavy stained glass pieces with suction cups. It will fall eventually, and then everyone will be sad.
Shop Covington Glass Co. on Etsy here.
I love the history and iconography of traditional stained glass. Additionally, as a sculptor, the process and physicality of creating stained glass also really drew me to the medium.
What's your typical day?
I'm a digital marketer by day, stained glass artisan by night. My studio is in my garage, so after I put my son to bed I head out to watch action movies while I make stuff.
Why do you feel your art/craft is important/relevant today?
The act of making something tangible is not as common as it once was. I do love digital media, but there is something special about using your hands to create a tangible object. Improving your craft over time gives you discipline in a way nothing else quite does.
What has been the most difficult challenge for you as an artist/maker?
Finding a work/life/art balance.
What is the most gratifying part of making your work?
Seeing the finished product light up in the sun.
Where do you find inspiration?
Pop-culture, sci-fi, D&D, Tattoo iconography, Comics, Cartoons
Where is your studio/work space?
My garage
What's your typical studio playlist?
I generally watch movies instead. I keep the Star Wars Prequels in heavy rotation along with LOTR, and action movies like Tombstone, Escape from New York, and Blade
How do you get yourself out of a creative rut?
Just starting to work. The hardest part for me is conceptualizing and pattern-making. So if I'm in a rut, I'll head out to my studio to get my hands on some material and that definitely helps.
Favorite blog/movie/tv show/book that never fails to inspire or just clears the mind:
Books: The Dune Series / Movies: Star Wars Prequels
Share your process - bonus points if there's a story behind it:
Stained Glass is all about the process! Each step is very different from the others. I like to organize my time around each step, like I carve out a chunk of time to cut glass on one day, wrap foil around multiple pieces another day, etc. I actually did production work for a company that makes stained glass transoms, doors, etc and I got a lot of insight from my time there.
What's your dream project - if you had all the time and materials in the world?
My dream project would be a church-style Dune window. Full-size with etched glass–the works.
What artists influence your work/who are your creative idols?
Yves Klein, Chris Foss, Ron Cobb, Ralph McQuarrie, Simon Roy
Describe yourself in 5 words:
Tall, Nerdy, Crafty, Funny, Maker
Describe your work in 5 words:
Pop, Nerdy, Ironic, Craft, Light
Tell us something funny or exciting that has happened in regards to your artwork/craft:
Well stained glass is a very bloody business between the cuts and the burns and the poisonous liquids. The most exciting things are probably all of my grievous injuries. I also chipped my tooth tying some leather cord to attach a piece, too.
How do you find balance?
I have no idea. It seems like a constantly moving target.
Is there anything you'd like the public to know about your work upon purchasing it?
Please don't hang heavy stained glass pieces with suction cups. It will fall eventually, and then everyone will be sad.
Shop Covington Glass Co. on Etsy here.
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