Every time light hits the colored glass, even the gloomiest day bursts with brightness.
Brenda Hull had always loved the way stained glass could change the atmosphere of an entire room. Growing up, her parents had a large stained glass window that made colors dance in the space.
But not until she started creating art out of it did she realize the power it could have.
“I love the light play, the different shapes it makes. It’s just limitless the things you can do with it,” she said.
In stained glass decorations, jewelry and more, Hull creates brilliantly colorful artwork. What started as a way to pass time during the pandemic has become a source of creative expression for the Indianapolis resident.
Her rainbow-hued pieces will illuminate the Southside Art League’s Off Broadway Gallery throughout the month of October, when Hull is the guest artist.
She hopes that those who come out to see her work get some inspiration in their own lives to try art.
“You don’t have to consider yourself an artist to make things, to create, to give yourself a chance,” she said. “I’ve always been kind of intimidated, but by starting small and finding something you enjoy, it’s very fulfilling. It was completely unexpected for me.”
Hull never thought she’d be displaying her own work for the public. Her husband Greg, the dean of Herron School of Art + Design in Indianapolis, is an accomplished sculptor and serves on the Indiana Arts Commission. Greg’s mother is a painter and member of the Southside Art League.
As a consultant with Eli Lilly Co., she never saw herself in the artistic world, even if she appreciated it.
All it took to change that was a global pandemic.
“We were talking about stained glass, and Greg said, ‘Why don’t you try it?’” she said.
Hull searched online for a starter kit to make basic stained glass items. When she received her tools, glass grinder, kiln and a book instructing on basic patterns, she followed the steps and taught herself.
“That was great to learn the process itself, so then I started making pieces,” she said. “A lot of my family got pieces for Christmas in 2020.”
The more she worked on the patterns in the kit, the more Hull wanted to explore and build off the basic concepts she was learning. She created her own designs for window art, and even incorporated vintage jewelry into the pieces.
“I thought, this is just for fun. These are more guidelines than rules. So I just started playing around with it,” she said. “I started accessorizing the larger pieces, or embedding jewelry into it. “It’s not always sunny; sometimes it’s dark out. But from the inside, you can have a focal point, with some light shining on the artwork.”
As Hull was making larger and larger pieces, she’d often have leftover glass that she didn’t know what to do with. Following her inspiration, she started making jewelry out of it. She learned how to layer the glass to make different colors and textures.
Sometimes she’d take glass marbles, melt them down in her kiln and fashion pendants and earrings.
“I was playing around and wondered, how will these melt? So those became jewelry,” she said. “It became just about exploring, to see what I can do.”
Hull first displayed her work in 2021, an experience that was strange for a new artist but also invigorating. Since that point, she has shown pieces in art galleries, shops, craft fairs and holiday shopping events.
“I’ve just enjoyed doing it. I’ll go out in the studio, and be out there all day Saturday, or all weekend. Time just flies when I’m doing it,” she said. “If someone else likes it and wants it, and especially if they buy it, that’s just gravy.”
With her mother-in-law being a member of the Southside Art League, Hull had known about the organization and its monthly shows. When she suggested Hull might want to do a show, it blew her mind, she said.
“I’ve never been the artist and the thought of doing a show was just crazy,” she said. “It’s still crazy about thinking about it coming up.”
Hull will have a variety of her window hangings, decorations and jewelry on display throughout the month of October; the exhibition runs from Oct. 4 to 28. She’ll also host an open house on Oct. 7 to meet the public.
“I’m kind of nervous, but I’m also really excited. I appreciate the opportunity, and hope it will go well,” she said.
IF YOU GO
Brenda Hull exhibition
What: An art show featuring glass artwork and jewelry by Hull, an Indianapolis resident
Where: Southside Art League Off Broadway Gallery, 299 E. Broadway, Greenwood
When: Oct. 4-28
Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; closed Sunday through Tuesday
Reception: Hull will host a reception for the public from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 at the gallery. Light refreshments will be served.
Information: southsideartleague.org
