Cynthia James has been working as a studio artist for over 30 years. Her dream has been to have her own studio and a shop where she can create and sell her beautiful designs. To make this dream a reality, she set out to find the perfect environment where she would thrive as an artist — and she found it on the historic square of Granbury, Texas, in 2001.
Granbury is a community that supports the arts, along with artists who work together to promote the diversity of mediums that thrive in town. Artists and art lovers come together each month for Last Saturday Gallery Night, which features exhibits and demonstrations around the square. In addition to the monthly event, each October downtown Granbury hosts the Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts.
In August 2009 James opened Artefactz, a Gallery of Gifts, as the owner and resident artist. Here she creates one-of-a-kind museum quality art glass jewelry, large multimedia sculptures, smaller wall pieces and three-dimensional works. Working in dichroic glass, metals, clay, and found objects, James creates works of art for the home and wearable art.
She calls her works of art “micro-sculptures,” small sculptural work that also serves as inspiration for larger works. She reduces these large visions of her art down to wearable art jewelry and small-scale sculptures that, according to her clients, add beauty to their lives and homes.
Left James’ distinctive art relies on layers of metals and oxides that produce color variations. Right One benefit of visiting Artefactz is experiencing James herself creating her art.
Modern dichroic glass consists of multiple ultra-thin layers of metals and oxides of metals that create color variations. James uses these color variations in the glass, layer upon layer, to make her unique creations. Dichroic coatings transmit certain wavelengths of light while reflecting others, thus creating an effect similar to the iridescence of butterfly wings, hummingbirds or fire opals. James’ love for nature (she’s backpacked and canoed in many Texas locations) comes through in her designs. She was inspired by the large cathedrals, museums, the Alps and oceans when living and traveling throughout Europe as a child; she now lives on Lake Granbury, another daily influence.
But what makes her store distinctive? It’s the artist herself. James can be found most days sitting at her work table with the sunlight stream- ing through the large storefront windows. She’s part of the experience. Everyone who comes in receives a warm welcome and is encouraged to explore, observe her at work and collaborate. Shoppers love talking with her about how she works with glass, and many end up leaving with a necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings customized just for them. She creates originals on commission as well.
As visitors to James’ gallery agree, there’s just something special about meeting the artist and taking one of their designs home. A work of art is a wonderful memento of your travels—not just about the sights that you see, but about the people you encounter along the way.
