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Local artist recognized for hand-painted glass

BUCKHANNON – Martha Reynolds talents were recently celebrated with some well-earned recognition. For more than 40 years, She has been painting glass, first at Salem and later as a designer for Fenton Art Glass in Williamstown, a world-renowned maker of beautiful art glass that closed in 2007. She handpainted and sandcarved beautiful designs, sometimes using 22 carat gold, many of her pieces ending up in the collection of Fenton Art Glass before they went out of production.

Invited to Kansas City as the keynote speaker and honoree of the Fenton Finders of Greater Kansas City, this year’s topic was Decorative Designs. Having been asked for several years to present to this group, she accepted this year much to the delight of her audience. Pieces Reynolds hadn’t seen in years were placed on a display four tiers high and 30 feet long showing various pieces she had created through the years. Many were out of private collections and on loan for this special occasion. For Reynolds, it was a trip down memory lane.

Reynolds gave three separate presentations. On the first day, she talked about the memories of working at Fenton and the pieces she created while in their employ. The second day she gave an hour-long power point presentation featuring special pieces and what she has continued to create after Fenton. The third day, she spoke briefly before the auction where some of her work was offered. Bidding was lively as her pieces were put up for sale, the high price of one being $900.

Reynolds still loves decorating glass and has continued in the art world in life after Fenton. She has won many awards including one for innovation from the Society of Glass and Ceramic Decorators, a prestigious award in the world of glass. Also serving as vice president of the West Virginia Watercolor Society, Reynolds’ talents extend to beautiful paintings across many different subjects. Her work is fabulous and has a depth to it that makes you feel you are a part of the picture and can evoke feelings of peace and contentment or excitement depending on the work.

She continues to decorate glass for Appalachian Glass in Weston, and her work, both glass and watercolors, can be found for viewing and purchase in the Artistry on Main Gallery in Buckhannon on Main Street. If you’ve never experienced the work of Martha Reynolds, take the time to stop in the Gallery and enjoy the beauty of her work. Who knows, you might just be lucky enough to be there the day she is running the shop.

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