Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Griffin.
Hi Diana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, I had a fascination with glass and how it reflects light and adds a unique dimension to the artwork. When I retired in 2016 after 37 years of civil service, I enrolled in a stained glass and then a glass fusing class at Foothills Adult School in El Cajon. I was mesmerized by how the glass reacts and moves at different temperatures and immersed myself in learning as much as I could about glass fusion. And I am still learning – which I think is what keeps my passion alive. There are so many techniques to experiment with and so much beautiful glass to create. My love for learning and sharing new techniques prompted me to teach. I have a passion for this art form and have found great joy in sharing my experience, skills, and knowledge with family and friends, and so I began to seek out other places to teach. I have taught many STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) classes at elementary schools and Pacific Coast Academy homeschool in San Diego County, where kids learn the science of how glass is made and how it melts, and incorporate the art by having them make their own suncatcher.
In addition, I also teach at San Diego Oasis in Grossmont Center for seniors (55+) (https://san-diego.oasisnet.org/), Art on 30th Street (https://www.arton30th.com/bubble-wave-glass-fusing-workshop.html) and will start teaching @ Borrego Art Institute in December (https://www.borregoartinstitute.org/).
I enjoy making glass pieces and delight in others experiencing it for themselves. I am a member of the Art Glass Association of Southern California, where we have exhibits at Spanish Village throughout the year and a member of the Borrego Art Institute, where I have several pieces on display.
My company name, “Queenie Glass and Sass,” was a result of my nickname growing up as the oldest of nine children, Queenie, and “sass” as a part of truth in advertising so people would know what they were getting when they took one of my classes…
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t been a totally smooth road for me to transition from a career Business Manager to a glass artist. Although you learn the science behind glass fusion – how it melts, how it reacts with different colors, how to use gravity to move it, sometimes glass does what it wants. That was a bit of a struggle for me, not always knowing what would happen in the kiln. As a result, I started experimenting with “what happens when I do this…” and I learned to be OK with both optimal and suboptimal outcomes. With COVID impacting everyone, I have transitioned into more of a teaching role. I have a poster in my studio to encourage me to continue my pursuit of glass art and education: “Art has the role in the education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else.” Sydney Gurewitz Clemens
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create stained glass and kiln-fired glass art. I try to create pieces for all price ranges, so I have smaller pieces for very reasonable to higher-end art pieces so everyone can enjoy a piece of glass art. Also, this was the first year one of my pieces was selected to be displayed @ the Del Mar Fair in the Fine Arts Division.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Over the last 2 years, I have transitioned away from the selling of my art, although I still do some markets and the patio sale @ Spanish Village, to teaching at various venues. It makes me happy to share this craft with others and watch them create their glass pieces. I’m most proud of the work I do @ the senior centers. Recently, my father had to move to assisted living and I offered to do classes with the residents. Although most of them had moderate dementia, with my help they were able to make a suncatcher. After they were fired and returned to the resident, they were very proud of what they made.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://queenieglassandsass.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasswithqueenie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queenieglassandsass
