Artist Spotlight: Dreams, Driftwood and Glass - The Creative Journey of Liz Knight

For more than 30 years, Liz Knight has been transforming glass into artworks that celebrate nature, colour and imagination. From custom stained glass windows to freeform sculptures incorporating driftwood and recycled materials, her work reflects both technical skill and a deep connection to the natural world.

Today, Liz's distinctive creations can be found in homes, public spaces and community projects throughout the region, but her artistic journey began with a simple fascination with glass.

OneTree A custom-designed stained glass window that showcases colour, design and craftmanship.

A Creative Beginning

Liz has always considered herself a creative person. She enjoyed art at school and was naturally drawn to making and designing things. In 1995, she discovered stained glass after admiring the vibrant colours and craftsmanship of another local artist's work.

"I wanted stained glass for some French doors and knew someone who created it," Liz recalls. "I learned with her for a while, then eventually went out on my own."

What started as a practical project quickly became a lifelong passion.

"I love the design aspect, the precision of the process, and creating custom pieces that people connect with. It's a very precise process and I find it incredibly relaxing."

In 2002, Liz began teaching stained glass in the Whitsundays, establishing a studio at her home surrounded by forest, where she continues to create and teach today.

Waveform: A freeform sculpture combining glass and driftwood.

Inspired by Nature

Nature is the common thread running through almost all of Liz's work.

"I love being outside and I love things in nature. They speak to me."

Her sculptures frequently combine glass with driftwood, reclaimed timber and recycled metal, creating pieces that feel organic and connected to the landscape around them. Having a carpenter husband meant there was never a shortage of leftover timber to experiment with, and over time Liz developed her own woodworking skills to complement her glass art.

Travel is another important source of inspiration.

"Things I see when I travel often spark new ideas and give me fresh inspiration."

Her involvement with the Reef Festival Immerse team has also broadened her creative horizons, providing opportunities to collaborate with other artists and experiment with recycled materials and new techniques.

Banksia and Birds: Custom stained glass window

Turning Dreams into Art

One of the most fascinating aspects of Liz's creative process is where her ideas originate.

"A lot of my concepts come to me in dreams, particularly in that space between sleep and wakefulness when the mind is uncluttered, free, and open to inspiration."

From there, the challenge becomes working out how to transform those ideas into physical artworks.

Many of Liz's pieces move beyond traditional stained glass into the realm of sculpture. While stained glass is typically flat, her work often explores three-dimensional forms that combine glass with natural materials.  The challenge is figuring out how to make the concept work.

When asked about creative rituals, her answer is refreshingly simple.

"I just go to the workshop every opportunity I get and do it."

The Rainbow Serpent Kaleidoscope: Created for the Festival of the Outback Skies in Hughenden, this ambitious work tells the Aboriginal creation story of the Rainbow Serpent through glass and metal. Logistically challenging to construct, the kaleidoscope reveals different skies as it turns, with each quarter representing sunrise, daytime, sunset and night.

Creating a Lasting Legacy

One of Liz's proudest achievements is the creation of five stained glass windows for the Catholic Church in Proserpine.

"I'm proud to have created something that meets their vision and will remain part of the community for years to come."

The project represents more than a successful commission. It is a lasting contribution to the local community and a legacy that future generations will continue to enjoy.

Peonies: Planning the design for the custom stained glass window

Peonies: Stained glass window installation

Sharing Glass Creativity with Others

Teaching remains one of the most rewarding parts of Liz's artistic practice.

"I love sharing the process and seeing other people's creative instincts emerge. I'm always learning from them too."

She also enjoys opening her studio to visitors through the Whitsundays Artist Trail, giving people the opportunity to see where her work is created and learn more about the techniques behind each piece.

For Liz, art offers a flexibility that fits beautifully with her lifestyle, allowing her to continue creating while travelling and exploring new places.

Liquila: Inspired by a palm tree growing in Liz's garden, this sculptural work combines glass, driftwood and a recycled metal barrel hoop, brining together natural forms and reclaimed materials.

Looking to the Future

Like many artists, Liz has faced challenges finding suitable outlets to showcase her work. That's why she's excited about the opportunities offered by the new Creative Connections Whitsunday Community Gallery.

Looking to the future, Liz hopes to one day hold a solo exhibition and create a major work for Ephemera. Until then, she continues to create, teach and inspire others through her art.

Her advice to emerging artists is simple:

"Have confidence in your creative ability and the value of your work. Just go for it."

You can view Liz's beautiful glass artworks and sculptures at the Creative Connections Whitsunday Community Gallery.

Liz's glass art display at the Community Gallery