July Artist of the Month: Lisa Olech

Lisa Olech’s Stained Glass at Village Artists

What would you do if you were formerly an executive secretary, now out in the woods of Maine with a baby and husband who worked constantly, and you felt your brain was slowly turning to mush? Lisa Olech, having always been artistic, decided to take an eight week class at the local high school in stained glass-making. She was instantly hooked; the one-project requirement turned into four pieces and an investment in all the gear necessary to continue at home. Enthusiastic production led her to participate in craft fairs, take commissions and do repair work. Later, living in Virginia, she’d heard about a co-op gallery in Ashland NH, where she and her family were preparing to re-locate, and Lisa became a member of the Village Artists & Gallery when they arrived, four years ago.

Now, as Artist of the Month, Lisa Olech is hosting a reception on Saturday, July 7th from 6 - 8 pm in the gallery located at 51 Main Street, Ashland. Light refreshments will be offered and all are invited to join friends and family to celebrate, and view Olech’s most recent, and earlier glass art works.

Since that initial class, Lisa has learned mostly by doing; creating jewelry, flat panels, three-dimensional work and church windows. What fascinates Lisa most about glass work is how each piece has it’s own character; each type breaks, cuts and even sounds differently (as she discovered making wind chimes), based in part on the processes used for coloring, textures and hardness. Presently displayed in the gallery are works she created from ideas that she carried around in her heart for a long time; non-commissioned, non-commercial; pure her. Her inspiration comes from instant visuals; borne of song lyrics, situations or impressions she gets of people. The latter has been most instrumental in designing memorial pieces she has created on commission, each one a gathering of elements unique to the person being remembered. Work has become more of a spiritual experience since Lisa’s recovery from an episode of cancer and her pieces often reflect the insights she garnered from that time. Olech will be unveiling her most recent works, expanding on a new direction from her earlier, more traditional renderings. For example, a piece depicting a waterfall, crafted from the glass of an old chandelier and layered to create depth and movement, the ‘water’ gushing between inlays of rounded natural stones, was the forerunner to experimentation with more natural materials and boldly textured layering that show entry into yet another level of this artist’s creative expression and promise.

In addition to the work of Lisa Olech, while visiting the gallery, browse through the many works from other local artists, from pottery to jewelry, unique home furnishings, wall decor, woodwork and more. Call 603-968-4445 or go on-line to villageartistsandgallery.com for more information about this event and other gallery functions.

Village Artists and Gallery
51 Main St.
Ashland, N.H.
968-4445
www.VillageArtistsandGallery.org