Donna Doherty

Donna Doherty is an extremely talented stained glass artist, gifted healer and a great person to have as a friend.

The energy flows through her art and you feel it.

Gazing into her creations takes you to another place - like scrying in a crystal ball!

I know her creations make my heart sing so I asked her: "What makes your heart sing?"

Mother Nature is part of the inspiration for my stained glass creations. Also, as I learn new modalities of healing and ways of healthful living, I think deep; brainstorming inside, as to how I can make something useful for others so that they too may benefit from what I've just learned. I love riding my bike, playing with my grandchildren, listening to them laugh and encouraging their imaginations through play (or are they encouraging mine?) I love the feeling of being vibrantly alive, excited about exploring new relationships, sharing concepts, traveling to new places to see old beauty, and using my physical body to work and play.

As I move through my days, fulfilling my accepted responsibilities, it's only in retrospect I can see what's made my heart sing; so now I'm actually gifting myself with this insight as I share it with you. I'm awe-struck each time I look out my window, hike in the woods, climb a mountain or walk along the ocean shore. I simply love the serene beauty and magical color combinations of nature. Peace indwells, surrounds me, and I am still. My heart expands, my throat aches with joy as I absorb the energy of this beauty, which fills me.

How and when did you first become awakened to your spiritual journey?

When I found organized religions no longer able to answer my questions and fulfill my soul, I began searching elsewhere. I'm a spiritual being, who is comfortable with all souls and the individual paths they choose to live.

I know I am a life force, which is part of the whole, and within that role I have the freedom and responsibility of my choices to explore, manifest joy and happiness for myself. I'm a Reiki Master/Teacher, as well as a certified Aromatherapist, and I'm currently studying more into the science of Astrology.

Really? Not to sound cheesie but "what sign are you?"

I'm a Gemini, with my moon in Libra and my rising sign is Aquarius; all of these signs influence my path and all are known as "Air signs." They govern the aspects of new ideas, concepts, communication, creativity, beauty, manifestation, questing for spirituality, action, movement, and just about anything else which is new and exciting!

What students do you choose to teach and how can a student arrange for you to be their teacher?

I enjoy working with people who show a desire to explore their talents along with a willingness to trust my 27 years of experience. Saving them a lot of unnecessary frustration is one of my key teaching goals; after all, we sure don't have to keep re-inventing the wheel.

Let's get quickly to the place of: "Your Time + Your Energy = Your ART!"

Quite often when people see my work they feel the energy and the beauty of the pieces, I'm told that sometimes it's the color combinations I choose to work with and sometimes its the symbols I use, which call to them. The students I choose to work with often think they're enrolling for a basic class in the construction of a Stained Glass panel; however, the majority of them stay with me for the better part of a year! It doesn't take them that long to learn the techniques, they thoroughly enjoy the process and the marvelous pieces they are able to create. The experience is far more than just the glass process. It seems to be that the art form keeps the hands busy while we are "casually delving" into many other aspects of interest to the students. Quite often these interests show up in their creations. Currently I instruct only two to three people at a time so it remains a positive and productive sharing for each person involved. I'm taking a few new students in the fall.

How can new students contact you?

They can contact me at (250) 727-0707 in Victoria, British Columbia.

Stained glass has become the medium which has chosen you. Now that you are comfortable walking this path is there something new calling you?

Wow! That's a big question, I do love creating and working with my hands, I always have and I always will.

For the last two years I have known there's something else coming ~ but I'm not totally sure where my path is leading me. When it does become clear, I know it'll happen quickly. I'm considering taking some formal education and possibly traveling to teach Stained Glass or maybe even English as a Second Language. This would be a totally new area for me, as I've always been self taught and self-employed. What I do know is I am now ready, willing and able to experience a new passion in my life. As I will it, so mote it be!

By Donna Doherty