ABOUT

HELLO... AND WELCOME TO MY WEBSITE. I AM MARIANA PAVLOVA AND I DESIGN AND MAKE DECORATIVE AND USEFUL OBJECTS FOR YOU AND YOUR HOME BY CUTTING AND FUSING GLASS.

Everything from splashbacks to wall tiles for kitchens and bathrooms; glass panels for walls and doors; plates and bowls and jewellery.

My studio is behind our house in Hollybush, a hamlet on the Southern edge of the Malvern Hills, on the border between Herefordshire and Worcestershire. I share our home with my husband, Simon Watts, who has designed and built our earth-sheltered house. Actually, the main house is yet to be built. We currently live in one semi-completed part, which will one day be the guest area, but that is another story... You can see details here www.underthehollybush.com

 

Our little hillside is a paradise for us, with all the birds, animals, trees and plants we enjoy every day. the natural world around our house inspires my work. Texture is all-important in the plant world. I am constantly surprised by the individuality of leaves, flowers and stalks even within the same plant family.

I like to achieve this in my glass. There can be an element of surprise when you lift a plate and run your hand over the surfaces - the top displays what I call a gentle roughness, like the delicate, almost furry softness of a leaf, then the underside is polished and glossy, like lacquer. 

The colour palette of the Malvern hills is mostly subdued, feminine and gentle with sudden explosions of heavy, masculine colour and I like to use this juxtaposition in my glass work.

This photo below shows what I mean: a large black plate, heavy and strong, exuding confidence, with two little ferns with missing fronds that are so gentle and delicate, almost fading.

Ferns-2.jpg

Bulgarian costumes are full of bright colours. Image source: https://laelegantia.com/2015/12/11/bulgarian-inspired-valentino-collection/

Bulgarian costumes are full of bright colours. Image source: https://laelegantia.com/2015/12/11/bulgarian-inspired-valentino-collection/

With my Mum who gave me more than just life and has always been a source of strength, love and support and a huge inspiration.

With my Mum who gave me more than just life and has always been a source of strength, love and support and a huge inspiration.


My Background

Another source of inspiration for my glass stems from my background. I was born and grew up in Bulgaria. Our household was always full of women spinning and dyeing wool, knitting, sewing, weaving and working with textiles. The usual fabric on my grandmother’s enormous loom was a linen and silk mix. The linen was to add durability and the silk gave the finished article its elegance. In my work, I like surprising contrasts of colour and texture.

This heritage of mine can also be seen in the tiles I make. Bulgarian national costumes are full of bright colours, apparently randomly selected. The effect is explosive until tamed a little by the insertion of some quieter, gentler elements. A bit like Bulgarian history, perhaps. 


Upcoming events


Previous Shows in 2016

Ledbury Christmas Show - Market House, Ledbury, 3 - 18 December 2016. Restricted access (stairs)

Malvern Autumn Show - Wye Hall, Three Counties Showground, Malvern 24 - 25 September 2016 

h.Art - Market House, Ledbury, 10 - 18 September 2016. Restricted access (stairs)

Three Choirs Festival - St Peter's Church, Hereford, 23-30 July 2016

Colwall Church & Ale House Festival - Colwall Church, Colwall, Nr Malvern, 16 July 2016

Three Counties Show - Wye Hall, Three Counties Showground, Malvern 17 - 19 June 201 

Malvern Spring Festival - Wye Hall, Three Counties Showground, Malvern 5 - 8 May 201 

Ledbury Easter Show - Market House, Ledbury, 25 March - 3 April 2016. Restricted access (stairs)


Listed at DesignerListings.Org  https://www.designerlistings.org/