Possums in Paradise - one of thirty thematic panels
FROM office-bound IBM word processor in Dusseldorf to stained glass artist in Mapleton, Roswitha Jamison has found a new and more relaxed lifestyle, and a creative outlet for her unique talents in stained glass art.
Emigrating from Germany in the mid-80s, Rosie travelled through Europe and India, before arriving finally settling in Broome in Western Australia. There she turned her hobby of working in stained glass into a business, and starting taking commissions to help pay her way.
Riy Fathers displays the final panel for his PennyFathings bar surround
Moving across to the Blackall Range in 1985 with new husband Phil, she set up a small stained-glass studio in Montville. Two years later they moved to Mapleton, where she established Rosie’s Leadlight Workshop in Post Office Road – off the tourist track, but now well known to the locals.
As well as her studio in Montville, Rosie became a regular at the Woodford Folk Festival, displaying her unique creations, and running stained-glass workshops. Many people wanted to learn this traditional art/craft form in more detail; so demand for her knowledge and teaching grew.
Since moving to Mapleton, she has continued to offer training workshops, first for local TAFE Colleges, and currently for private students.
Rosie at work on the possums panel
Rosie’s first inspiration, she says, was the fashionable must-haves of the eighties: the Tiffany lampshades. From there she moved on to specialising in large and impressive leadlight panels based on local landscapes, and capturing the colours of the flora and fauna of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Seven years ago, a local businessman, Riy Fathers, heard about Rosie’s talents, and commissioned her to produce a series of seven panels for his new venture: Penefathings Inn – the English Pub at Montville. The panels combine images of olde England (the gentlemen riding on penny farthing bicycles) with the landscapes and native animals of the Blackall Range. The seven panels each took about one week to design, to draw and produce.
In October 2009, Riy commissioned Rosie to produce some more stained glass scenic panels for his new business venture, Penefathings on Bulcock Beach at Caloundra.
This time, however, the commission was for 30 panels, and they have kept her busy 9-5 for the last eight months. “I loved it”, says Rosie, “but I’m glad it is all over now. Eight months is a long time”. A change of pace; a change of view. What’s next for Rosie’s Leadlight Workshop ?
“Well, the back fence needs a makeover. It’s too high, it’s wood and it’s boring. What I want to create now is a mosaic glass fence. That will improve the view from our verandah in the mornings. Trees, birds and animals … out in the forest, and in the sunlight. I’m looking forward to working on it. ”
You can contact Rosie on 5445 7591, or view her website at www.rosiesleadlightworkshop.com
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