Terri Albanese Painting with Glass

he light beautifully dances across Terri’s art with a dramatic sense of movement and life. Meg MacLeod - Collector

T Terri Albanese, Glass Artist As founder and President of The Hazelbaker Purcell Group, a marketing communications firm in Central Ohio, a new door was opened to me in 2006.

It began with the breathtaking mosaics in Italy – they completely captivated me. While studying the classical setting of mosaics in 2007 at the Mosaic Academy, , it was my desire to create an original style – a style that was new, fresh and truly unique, one that would emulate my illustration style and give me the freedom to “paint with glass.”

Painting with Glass I chose glass as my medium because of the depth, brilliance, reflection and refraction that can only be found in glass. I use handcrafted glass made in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, that has an aesthetic uniqueness of color, textural waves, striations, random bubbles and a variety of other natural effects – each piece of glass is an original piece of art in itself.

My glass paintings are created one piece at a time – taking a hard, rigid, sharp and unforgiving material like glass and transforming it into a refined and inspirational piece of art. Using primitive tools I hand-cut the glass into long thin strips, which become my palette. With precision I place them side-by-side, building colors and textures similar to a painter with brushstrokes. My intention is for the eye to move freely from one tesserae to another, without interruption. Therefore, I butt-joint the tesserae, I do not use grout and the pieces are not fused.

My pieces are designed to view from a distance and slowly pull you in, giving you the opportunity to get lost in the details and technique. Strategically placed throughout my paintings are elements of surprise - accent pieces of raindrops, millefiori, quartz, stringers and smalti that move the eye, stop the eye, move color and provide additional depth, detail and texture.

My designs are bold compositions that vary from literal interpretations to capturing the essence of an image. What does remain consistent is the movement, depth, subtle variations and dramatic contrasts throughout my work. My desire is to evoke emotions of joy, peace and encouragement – to lift up those who view my paintings.

What I find intriguing is when a person touches my work. They gently glide their fingertips over cut glass. Every instinct in their body tells them not to touch, but they are compelled to touch – and this interaction fascinates me. I encourage gallery owners and curators to allow their clients to touch my glass paintings, so they may be pulled in even closer.

My Inspiration As a graduate of Columbus College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, I recognize the significance of conceptual design. It is important that my pieces tell a story; as they are created for those who want to reveal something about themselves, their personal interests and their love for original art.

My life has evolved – and so has my art. My personal experiences, faith, love of nature, symbolism and the people in my life inspire my pieces.

From seeing the beauty in the world and all its wonders – my art celebrates life.

Select Solo + Group Exhibitions 2008 Hayley Gallery - New Albany, Ohio

2009 Hayley Gallery - New Albany, Ohio Franklin Park Conservatory - Columbus, Ohio (in conjunction with Chihuly Reimagined) Ohio Art League Gallery - Columbus, Ohio

2010 Kathryn Gallery – Columbus, Ohio Peju Winery Galleries – Napa Valley, California Ohio Glass Masters – The Mansfield Art Center

2011 RAS Galleries – Yountville, California BrandtRoberts Galleries – Columbus, Ohio

Select Juried Exhibitions 2009 McCoy Center for the Arts - New Albany, Ohio 2nd City Council Art Gallery + Performance Space - Long Beach, California Rosewood Gallery - Kettering, Ohio The Concourse Gallery - Upper Arlington, Ohio

2010 Mosaic Arts International 2010 – , Illinois Ohio Expo Center & State Fair, Fine Arts Exhibit – Columbus, Ohio

Publications Mosaic Art 4 - An International Portfolio of Contemporary Mosaic Art Mosaic Art Now 2009 Crafts Report 2009 Columbus Dispatch Columbus Alive Mosaic Art 5 – An International Portfolio of Contemporary Mosaic Art Wine Country – California 2010 and 2011 Napa Valley Life – California 2011 Yountville Sun – California 2011

Gallery Representation BrandtRoberts Galleries – Columbus, Ohio Malton Gallery – , Ohio

Gallery and Commission Pieces Gallery and commission pieces can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the United States, Hong Kong and Israel.

Select Public + Corporate Commission Pieces Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Columbus, Ohio Ohio Grains Center – Delaware, Ohio Ohio Corn Growers Association – Marion, Ohio Spellman Brady – St. Louis, Missouri for the Springfield Regional Medical Center – Springfield, Ohio The Grossman Group – Tampa, Florida

Affiliations Glass Arts Society Society of American Mosaic Artists Glass Axis Ohio Designer Craftsmen

Education Columbus College of Art + Design, Columbus, Ohio Bachelor of Fine Arts – Major in graphic design and recipient of Outstanding Senior Award

The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Miami Mosaic Academy, Miami, Florida