Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanne Sabeck.
Hi Deanne, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my life as an artist at a very early age, like maybe 5 or 6. I was always drawing and making things; it was my total passion then and still is now. At ASU, I was an art major and began first in fashion design and illustration and then switched to painting and drawing. After graduating, I was desperate to find a way to actually make a living doing art despite everyone telling me that it was not possible. While living in Marin County in the 70s, I was introduced to a woman who lived in Sausalito on a houseboat and did Stained Glass. I immediately fell in love with this craft and began making and selling little craft objects, lamps, terrariums, etc. Next thing I knew, I did my first large stained-glass window. In 73, I opened a shop/gallery in Tlaquepaque in Sedona, Arizona, which I had for 45 years representing some of the most well-known glass artist in the world. Timing was perfect as the GLASS ART movement had just caught fire. After 15 or so years in Sedona doing large stained glass architectural installations for hotels, banks, restaurants, and homes and spending lots of time in various classes at Pilchuck Glass Center learning many techniques. I moved to San Diego, with my two daughters, two dogs, four cats, and two birds, in 1990, rented a studio in the Rattner building downtown and made the decision to not do any more Stained Glass but to find a new art path with glass. I had a large kiln built for me and started casting, fusing, and creating wall installations with glass, granite, neon, and metal. At some point, someone gave me a small piece of dichroic glass, and it was pure magic! It took me right back to my childhood and my fascination with the movie Polyanna whose grandmother has a house full of prisms with reflected the light spectrum throughout the house. I realized that with all of the stained-glass windows I created, I was much more interested and delighted by the reflections from the glass than the window itself. That was the real turning point in my career as an artist, and my journey into “Light Art” creating prismatic sculptural installations with reflective glass began. My work has constantly evolved over time and embraced exterior sculpture as well as wall sculpture.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, having a career as an artist and being a single mother and sole provider of two daughters, not to mention a zoo of pets, was not an easy path. There was no stable income to depend on, although having the Gallery in Sedona was helpful at some times, also very stressful at other times. So, the financial stress was always an issue. I just never thought of doing it any other way so I just persevered and was determined to make my way.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am proud of the fact that I developed my own unique type of glasswork, working directly with the light spectrum to create mesmerizing prismatic installations which have their own lives. They are constantly evolving throughout the day from the ambient light of the sun, especially the exterior sculptures, while the interior pieces are lit by spotlights and because the angle of the light changes both the forms and colors from the sculptural glass, I began using a computerized dimming device for larger installations providing a kinetic element as the forms morph into evocative, meditative patterns in the space. I have installed many of these installations in various hospitals and healthcare environments. This is a perfect canvas for my work as light and color are both extremely healing. I often also include words relevant to healing and positive energy, which are sandblasted into the glass and appear on the wall in shadow as the light changes and then disappear. This is a very powerful way to speak as the words have more power when projected. I think I am most proud of the fact that my installations actually impact people in positive ways. I often hear from someone who had just experienced one of them at the SD airport or the emergency room at Scripps Encinitas Hospital and that it really impacted and delighted them at a stressful time. I did a wonderful installation in a meditation chapel for a children’s hospital in Florida, and it is lovely knowing that parents who are dealing with very difficult situations with their precious children find some solace and peace in that chapel. My newest body of work is very different from what I have been doing for the past years and creating autonomous gallery pieces gives me a freedom that is very liberating. I am very excited about this new work and really enjoying developing it.
Alright, so before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Architects and interior designers, as well as Art consultants, can collaborate with me on projects, I actually love that collaborative energy. And, of course, anyone who would like to have a wonderful, light-filled piece of art in their home can contact me and I am always happy to consult with clients regarding their space, lighting issues, and installations.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deannesabeck.com
- Instagram: sabeckdeannelightart
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@casacandelitas
