Jill Hennelly
I have always incorporated art into my life; otherwise, life is too hard. Art softens the sharp & hard edges, and enhances the color and vibrancy of life. “Living artfully” may just be another way of saying finding the beauty in the moment or task at hand. It helps my mind to stay in a positive space. So, not being an artist for a living most of my life, I would make my living as artfully as possible. Until I retired, my profession was nursing, more specifically, as a wound and skin care nurse. Not very come on-ish, to most, but helping people heal their wounds as beautifully and strongly is an art. I worked for a company at one time named “Clinical Arts”. I liked that name and decided that was a great way to look at all things. So, living art, or artful living, became my philosophy.
I started my glass work many years ago, making stained glass windows and lamps for my home, and for a few friends, when living in Athens, GA. A move to Virginia happened in the late 90s for an employment opportunity. Professional work dominated my life for the next 20+ years, but I enjoyed creating artful pieces for others as gifts, and occasional sales, with beading projects (some jewelry, and some 3-D pieces), and acrylic pour paintings.
In the peak of the pandemic, the healthcare field was quite chaotic, and medical and healthcare regulations were in nearly constant flux. I was past retirement age, so it was time to let my professional life go and focus on making my new life artful.
Our home in the Rockfish Valley, along the river, was filled daily with inspiration from the beauty of this valley. I put my glass work table back up and, inspired by the many wildflowers blooming in the valley, decided to find a way to share the magnificent light that shines through the flowers, with the glorious radiance of glass. Pour painting had shown me the potential splendor of light that can come through pigment. Put them all together, and Glass Gardens was born: gardens of dried, pressed flowers, given life with an environment or atmosphere created with pigment, and shining through and enhanced by glass light.
Being of a certain age, my husband, Patrick, & I moved to Staunton, VA, to relieve ourselves from the work necessitated by life in the country. We miss looking out our windows to the Rockfish views, and so much more of the Nelson County life. I enjoy keeping the Rockfish valley in my heart by continuing my Glass Gardens creations inspired by its views and beauty. We can be seen frequently walking along the Rockfish Valley Trail, or noshing somewhere on Nelson 151.