Janiene Fitzpatrick Knight

Artist Statement

Choosing fused glass as my primary medium grants me impressionistic freedom, grounded by the exacting precision of kiln science. Working primarily with crushed glass of calibrated sizes—known as frit—I translate personal memories of landscapes into rich, textured forms. Through frit painting, I build layered compositions that invite viewers into the quiet space between immediate vision and memory.

As a fourth-generation Washingtonian, the shifting color and light of the Pacific Northwest are foundational to my work. My pieces capture transitional moments between seasons, drawing deeply from childhood anchors like Chetzemoka Park, the changing foliage of autumn, and the varied waterfronts of Puget Sound. My practice is rooted in patient observation—studying the natural world and recreating subtle visual elements in glass to highlight the quiet origin of the landscapes around us.

As a disabled, seated glassworker, technology is integral to my creative process. I use a camera as an extension of my vision, documenting each composition from multiple vantage points to refine details precisely while remaining seated. A single intricate piece may be photographed dozens of times, recording its evolution long before it enters the kiln. While fused glass demands painstaking construction, the ultimate reveal after firing remains a moment of pure discovery.