About Tessa
Tessa Van Thienen’s fascination with art began in childhood. She spent years at a local art academy, mastering drawing and painting in her spare time. The 2020 lockdown sparked her journey into glass portraiture, leading her to specialize in the ancient, captivating technique of glass fusing. Interest in her work quickly emerged, motivating her to refine her craft and create increasingly ambitious pieces.
A Labor of Patience
Crafting a glass portrait is a time-intensive endeavor, akin to the meticulous work of monks. Large glass sheets, sourced from the U.S., are hand-cut into thousands of tiny fragments—the smallest measuring just 3x3mm, the practical limit of precision cutting. These pieces, in opal and transparent varieties of diverse colors, textures, and sizes, are layered onto kiln shelfs and fused together in an electric glass oven at approximately 700°C. Like brushstrokes of paint, these vibrant glass “pixels” form an abstract pattern up close, transforming into stunning mosaic portraits from a distance. Tessa’s art showcases the versatility of glass as a medium—her works burst with color or embrace subtle neutrality, always harmonizing with the intended interior while maintaining balance.
Each piece begins with an inspiring image, often enhanced by Tessa using filters or AI to infuse it with distinctive character. She tailors her creations to clients’ preferences, incorporating interior color schemes, subject matter, or specific dimensions as desired.
Curious to Learn More?
Interested in Tessa’s unique artworks? She welcomes visitors by appointment to her newly established “Studio Qwartz,” featuring an exhibition space in Bilzen’s Kloosterstraat. For additional locations, please explore the exhibition page.
Follow Studio Qwartz on Instagram for updates and inspiration:
