Julian Kloppenburg

I work as a stained glass artist, and I mostly use glass enamel colours and other techniques to process glass into a new form. My work is mostly inspired by nature (cracks, plants and other natural phenomenon). One thing I love about stained glass ist how it reacts with natural light, for example the reflection that structured glass creates or how coloured glass can change the colour of the light in a room to create a completly different atmosphere.

Q&A

What craft do you work with?

After my first training I was quite unhappy with my work live, and so I searched for a new profession, which I found in glass painting. I have been working in this field for 5 years. My favourite technique is airbrushing because you can archive wonderful transitions and patterns.

What inspires you to work with this craft?

Like I described earlier, the difference between painting on glass versus on other media is the transparency of glass. It allows the transformation of an artwork into a new form, for example, a coloured window or framed picture that changes the aesthetic of a room.

How do you start your creative process?

The process is not always the same, sometimes I plan every step from design, materials, colours and size to the finished piece, and sometimes I get a spontaneous Inspiration and I just follow the flow of my ideas.

How would you best describe your workspace and what tools could you not do without?

I’m allowed to use the workshop of my boss (in whose company I work in part-time), which offers all the tools and equipment that is needed for the processing of glass. My favourite tool is an airbrush-gun which allows for a large variety of different techniques like “directional” applying of colour on structured glass.

Are there new techniques you would like to try?

Yes, I would like to find out how to convert the technique’s pouring from acrylic paint onto glass.

What have you learnt or the best advice you have received that you would like to share with fellow crafters?

My mother gave me the best advice, since she asked me to apply for an apprenticeship in my current profession. I would love to work with different artists to show them the beauty of glass painting. My biggest dream is to have my own workshop.