Velta Karklins

Velta Karklins is a Tauranga based artist. Her unique glass works take their inspiration from childhood memories and utilise bright colours and humour to create cheerful and beautiful works of art.

Velta Karklins has worked with glass in various forms for over 20 years. Starting in Christchurch working for a stained glass company, this is where she first learnt her trade of leadlighting. She also taught leadlighting and it’s other forms for 8 years at Mairehau High School in Christchurch as a Continuing Education Tutor.

Later, she was invited to the Philippines where she was employed at a relatively new stained glass business producing works for the Japanese market. While in the Philippines, although being hired to train and advise in her field, she discovered she learnt far more from her fellow glass artists, leraning new techniques in glass painting and enamelling.

After returning to Christchurch, she ran her own small leadlight business. The earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 set her back along with many others, but before long work picked up with a vengeance with repairs and restorations. It was at this time that she at last acquired a glass kiln, a long time wish. With no formal training apart from lots of watching, listening and reading, warm glass has become her passion.

Velta Karklin's unique glass works take their inspiration from childhood memories and utilise bright colours and humour to create cheerful and beautiful works of art.