Samantha’s most famous and favourite collection of ‘VUGs’ are inspired by unfilled cavities within rocks, often lined with mineral crystals. Each unique piece reflects mysterious cave like qualities, her aim is to highlight the mystery and hidden depths buried within these natural formations..
Samantha was always creative at school, with a growing interest throughout her design A Levels in three dimensional model making.
In 2005 she took the leap and moved away from her home town Peterborough to begin her studies in Leicestershire’s De Montfort University, starting with a BTEC Diploma Art and Design Foundation.
Having a blast in all the workshops and really just getting started, in 2006 Samantha stayed on and went on to successfully complete her 3 year Design Crafts Degree with a First Class BA Honours. In order to gain more designing, making and exhibiting experience, she was selected to become an Artist in Residence at De Montfort in 2009. Thoroughly enjoying working alongside the current students, Samantha used this time to develop her professional portfolio to achieve her dream of continuing her studies to MA level.
In 2010 she could not believe that she had been successfully selected to continue her journey at The Royal College of Art in London where she began her Masters in Ceramics and Glass.
Since graduating into the whirl wind world of being a professional artist, Samantha sells her works up and down the country and often internationally, through a selection of highly prestigious galleries. Samantha works with James Devereux in the inspiring Wiltshire countryside at Devereux and Huskie Glassworks along with some of the finest artists in the country. She began her relationship with James at the RCA.
“James and I share fond memories of intense workshop experimentation over the years. Not only is James a technical genius when it comes to this material, he delves in to my bizarre mind, helping me achieve my curious creative aims!!”
Samantha discovered, quite early in to her relationship with glass, her addiction to the coldworking side of the process. She quickly began to realise she could transform her forms through meticulous cutting, grinding and polishing techniques.
Samantha kick started 2019 going back to her roots, enjoying coldworking along side her original degree tutor and dear friend, Glass Maker Graeme Hawes:
“Working for and alongside Graeme over the years has been an absolute privilege. To me, professional shadowing is worth its weight in gold. He has taught me a tremendous amount and still to this day keeps me in check.”
Samantha is inspired by the ever-changing perceptual qualities of glass.
“The Vug compels attention; I stop and look inside because I am curious. I love the way the different colours wrap around each other so distinctly and its smoothness makes it very tactile.”
Former Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea: Christopher Buckmaster
Samantha Donaldson Glass 