I’m Ashling, an artist from Derry specialising in hand-painted glass. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work on a wide variety of artistic projects and collaborate with incredible people.
For nearly thirty years, I taught fine and applied art to adults in the mental health community, witnessing – and experiencing – the healing power of creativity. I’ve also worked with the Pushkin Trust as a Creative, delivering nature-themed art workshops to children across the island of Ireland, where I again saw the joy that art and self-expression can bring. These experiences, along with many other rewarding community projects, have deeply shaped my artistic journey.
While I still do some teaching, over the past fifteen years, I’ve focused more on my own art practice. I chose painted glass as my medium because I’ve always been captivated by the interplay of light and colour. Inspired by the brilliance of Tiffany glass, the vibrancy of Murano glass, and the intricate beauty of Harry Clarke’s stained glass – as well as the lush Irish countryside – I find endless inspiration in Ireland’s rich colours. My palette is a celebration of bold, harmonious combinations that complement one another.
There’s also nothing quite like the glow of a candle through hand-painted glass to create a warm, enchanting ambiance.
I sell my work at craft fairs in Derry and Donegal, and my pieces are stocked in shops and galleries throughout Inishowen. My art can also be found in private and public collections worldwide. I feel incredibly lucky to make a living doing what I love!
