A.N. Bursary 2026

I was lucky enough to be awarded an Artists Newsletter Bursary in Jan 26. I applied to R&D a specific technical process in stained glass painting that has been pioneered by the master stained-glass artist Benjamin Finn. I had been awed by the sensitive tonal range he achieves in his painting.
In feel, it reminded me of the lithographic process of my print training.
I drove from Scotland to Essex to rendevous with Ben Finn in early February. Before we met i visited three of his earlier works in local churches, Church of all saints in Broughton, St Peters in Aldwincle, and Church of all saints in Grafham. I also had a long day studying stained glass at the Ely Cathedral stained glass museum. Ben met me first at St Mary’s and St Andrews Church in Whittlesford so he could talk me through the design and installation of his major commission ‘The Caring Window'. Afterwards we travelled to Ben’s studio in Wickham Bishop where Ben explained his technical processes, generously shared his material suppliers and answered my endless questions.
To round off the trip I also visited Southwark Cathedral library to view another of Ben’s commissions.
Returning from my visit, I spent 3 months painting and kiln firing tests to practice this process. My kiln gave lots of unpredicted results and Ben helped me decipher problems via images shared via what’s ap. Viewing works in Ely Museum had opened my mind to how glass artists had used the medium in the 1950-60’s and my painting trials also drew stylistically from these influences. Gradually I refined my approach to the technique Ben also supported me to donate a window to my local library, which I installed April 26. It is my first publicly sited window and something that means a lot to me.