Sculpting Light: Grace McDonald
- Linda Forrester
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 27
Creative Connections Whitsunday proudly shines a spotlight on glass artist Grace McDonald as our current Feature Artist. With over four decades of creative experience and an unrelenting passion for glass, Grace’s work reflects a rich journey of exploration, precision, and beauty.
Grace began her creative career as a signwriter more than 40 years ago, running a successful business and employing others in the trade. But it was after moving to Mackay in 2002 and taking a short course in kiln-formed glass that she discovered a whole new artistic language. “I first saw molten glass being coaxed into delicate forms—and I was hooked,” she says. “There’s something wildly thrilling about working with a material that’s both fragile and fierce.”
Since then, she’s thrown herself wholeheartedly into the world of glass, studying with master artisans across Australia and internationally. A pivotal moment came when she met renowned glass artist Shar Moorman, who has mentored Grace for over 15 years. This partnership fuelled Grace’s confidence and ability to explore complex techniques and creative risks.
Her style is fluid, dancing between contemporary minimalism and the organic inspiration of the natural world. Ocean currents, botanical forms, and shifting landscapes influence both her colour palette and structural choices. “My work is driven by light and texture,” she explains. “Kiln-formed glass allows me to capture those fleeting, magical interactions.”
Each of her artworks begins with a flash of inspiration—often a colour note, garden walk, or motivation over coffee—and evolves through a process of sample making, trial, and adaptation. With thousands of techniques to draw from, Grace is rarely working on just one piece at a time. “I get bored quickly!” she laughs. “I need multiple projects to keep my creativity flowing.”
Grace's work was recently celebrated in the 2025 Rock Wallaby Festival, where she took on an ambitious project with a tight deadline. “I remember thinking, ‘What have I done?’” she recalls. “But the results speak for themselves, and I was honoured to be part of such a powerful community event.”
Despite challenges such as rising material costs and limited access to specialised supplies—many of which are imported from the US—Grace continues to evolve. She’s working on solo and collaborative exhibitions slated for 2026, 2027, and even 2029, with a growing focus on sculptural forms. “Glass takes time,” she notes. “Some pieces spend a week just heating and cooling in the kiln—and that’s only the sample.”
Beyond technique, Grace is passionate about changing perceptions around what it means to be a professional artist. “Treat your art like a business,” she advises. “Set goals. Reassess. Keep going. This isn’t a hobby—Azure Glass is 21 years old this year!”
With her signature warmth and commitment, Grace McDonald continues to inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection—sculpting not just glass, but light, life, and legacy.
Explore Grace’s work:
📞 0415 778 609
Comments