Stewart Hearn

London Glassworks

Glassblower

©Paul Chave

©Andrew Pheby

©Alun Callender

©Nick Hand

©Alun Callender

For the love of glass

To Stewart, glassblowing is a lifestyle
Colour combinations and simple forms are his trademark
Stewart trains assistants in his workshop

Three days before graduating with his BA (Hons) in 3D Design in Glass and Ceramics from Sunderland Polytechnic in 1986, Stewart Hearn started working as an assistant at Lindean Mill Glass in Scotland and for other top British glassmakers. His biggest influence, Simon Moore, taught him not only about the craft but also about running a studio, furnace maintenance and selling. Today, he works in his back garden studio, creating pieces according to his own, personal approach. “Try it, learn from your mistakes, make it as good as or better than the last one. Swear if you must, laugh when you can, love it, enjoy it, never retire”.

Interview

©Simon Camper

©Simon Camper

Why did you choose glassblowing?: It is such a difficult thing to do well with all the blood, sweat and tears that come with learning about glass; being a masochist, it suits me perfectly! I simply love making things. After all this time, it is a dedicated obsession.
What do you love most about it?: I love the overwhelming feeling of exhaustion after a really, really, good day of glassmaking, the camaraderie between glassblowers, anticipating and hoping that everything comes out of the kiln as it went in. Oh, and of course, the cold beer!
What is your advice to anyone who wants get into glassblowing?: You need to be dedicated, as it is a lifestyle not a job. Try to take a year to work in a studio, then finish your degree. Also, start applying for jobs at least six months before the degree course finishes. At the beginning it is who you know, not what you know.
What is your studio like?: It is a very old, black feather-boarded barn situated in our back garden and a garage. It was specifically designed and renovated, and contains my furnace room, cold finishing room, gallery, office, kitchen and packing room. It is clean, neat, tidy and quiet.

Stewart Hearn is a master artisan: he began his career in 1986 and he started teaching in 1992