Artist Statement
My work exists at the intersection of nostalgia, craft, and invention. I’ve made it my mission to evolve traditional stained glass into something that speaks to contemporary audiences—not just through visual beauty, but through concept and emotion.
What makes my work unique is how I treat solder—not simply as a structural material, but as an expressive tool. I've developed new techniques for laying and shaping solder to mimic textures like crayon wrappers or topographic lines, adding depth and motion to each composition. I pair glass with materials like canvas, masonite, and paint, allowing my work to be wall-mounted and lit from the front—removing the need for backlighting and opening new possibilities for display.
I tend to work in series, each rooted in a specific theme. Some, like Child’s Play, explore the longing for innocence and the creative fearlessness of youth. Others, like Shattered Dreams, honour those lost to illness with visual metaphors for grief and identity. My panoramic landscapes reflect on isolation and the emotional cost of modern consumerism, while my Pop Art series embraces joyful nostalgia through candy, crayon, and colour.
Through each body of work, I aim to surprise viewers—both in the materials I use and the emotional reactions they spark. Many people don’t realize they’re looking at glass until I tell them.
Biography
Jamie Leibel is a self-taught Canadian artist who has recently relocated to the Bow Valley. With a lifelong passion for craftsmanship and creative expression, Jamie first explored visual art through woodworking and furniture design. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Regina, but his creative focus has always been tactile—driven by material, light, and hands-on experimentation.
Jamie began working with art glass more than 15 years ago through informal study and mentorship at a local glass studio. Over time, he transitioned from functional craft to expressive fine art, developing highly original techniques that integrate stained glass, solder, enamel and acrylic paint, canvas, crayon, and gold/silver leaf. Today, he is known for pushing the boundaries of traditional stained glass—both technically and thematically—by exploring its potential as a modern, story-driven medium.