I was trained in traditional drawing and painting at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Ca and spent the first 5 years of my career as a figurative oil painter and muralist. I discovered stained glass and specifically glass painting by chance, on a tour of The Judson Studios in Los Angeles in 2003. I was immediately hooked, and took a part time job at the Studios as a glass painter. This part time job quickly became a full time passion, and I ended up spending 14 amazing years at the Studios.

I had the honor of being lead artist on some monumental projects during my time at Judson. By far the most rewarding aspect of my time was in working with communities, both religious and secular, to realize their dreams in glass. The project that  ultimately resulted in this journey to where I am today, was the 3400 square foot “Resurrection Window” at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood Kansas. After designing the piece in 2014 and realizing it couldn’t be done solely with traditional methods,  I sought out glass master Narcissus Quagliata and his “painting with light” fusing technique. Together we designed a custom fabrication process, and completed the piece in February of 2017. Throughout the process Narcissus and I developed a connection through our mutual love of the image making process in fused glass. 

         Fused glass is a relatively new technology (40 years old) that allows glass of different styles and colors to be melted together in a kiln to form a single image. To me, glass is the ultimate painting medium for installations both inside and out. Because of its ability to transmit and reflect light and transparency, a glass art piece is always alive. It is changing with the daylight and engages the environment, be it a tree waving in the wind or a creeping cast shadow from a neighboring building. Through specialized lighting, glass can be brought to life at night to invite people to a space.

Glass is one of the most time tested, archival materials there is. Color in a glass art piece is permanent. There is no fading or scratching. It can get wet, be touched, and withstand impact with the right safety measures. All the while it is a noble medium with a rich history in the arts, spanning over 1000 years since the earliest stained glass windows were produced in Europe. These windows still maintain their dazzling color and enriching narrative impact to this day. 

My mission at Tim Carey Studio is to continue what Narcissus and I started at Judson Studios, to bring glass into the forefront as an image making medium, and to enliven the world around us with light and color.