In my cast glass sculptures and oil paintings I enlist collective imagery, rendered in a direct simple style encased within solid glass, to tell stories, often biographical stories. The subject I most often utilizes is that of the feminine experience in the arts relating to material culture and by association, portraiture. I have created my own language of imagery and symbols that become totems, reappearing in many pieces.
My process is to sculpt and paint objects in glass that tell illusory narratives. The sculpted pieces are encased in sand cast glass forms. The cast pieces are assembled in different sections, often stacked or nestled together and, on occasion, can be reconfigured. A successful work speaks to the viewer as if in an intimate conversation.
My work is also found at Bender Gallery Asheville, NC,, Raven Gallery, Aspen, Pieces Gallery, Vail, Edgewood Orchard Gallery, Fish Creek, WI, Tory Folliard Gallery, Fish Creek
Trenchard has worked as a professional artist for over 30 years. She holds a BFA from Illinois State University. She works in a multitude of mediums including glass and oil painting. Along with her husband, artist Jeremy Popelka, Trenchard has owned and operated a working glass studio and small gallery since 1997, while continuing to create and show work nationally. She has taught workshops and classes at: Pratt Fine Art Center (Seattle 2010), University of Wisconsin, (Madison, 2009 & Stevens Point, 2014). She completed a residency at Ragdale, (Illinois 2010). Prizes include: Margaret Rahill Memorial Award (2014) & Best of Show Uptown Arts Fair, (MN 2000)
Tertiary Colors, 2017
Sand Cast Glass with Inclusions, 18.5 x 16.5 x 4.5"
This piece is called Tertiary Colors which is a reference to the third tier of the color wheel where colors are more nuanced. It is also my reference to American women artists who are not always considered the most known in art history. But these artists are beginning to be noticed. Here is a little information about these artists.
Alice Neel (1990-1984) was a visual artist, who was particularly well known for oil painting and for her portraits depicting friends, family, lovers, poets, artists and strangers. She had a tumultuous personal life as she struggled to pursue her art and be a mother. Her brave self-portrait is a nude she did of herself in her 80’s showing her own body in a natural way without any sort of flattering embellishment or positioning. This is the 3rd piece I have made that references Neel.
Florine Stettheimer, (1871-1944) was a surrealist painting in the 1920. She was the only contemporary woman artist among the early 20th century artists that I recall studying in art history. I was always looking for women artists throughout history. She is not very well known. Currently, there is an retrospective of her work at the Jewish Museum in NYC. This is my second piece with Stettheimer. I made a triple portrait of her last year.
Elaine DeKooning (1918-1989) was an artist in her own right but frequently overshadowed by her more famous husband. Like me she worked in abstraction as well as figuratively. I am drawn to her portraits.
Sand Cast Glass with Inclusions, 46 x 8 x 6”
It is the story of Carlotta O’Neil, wife of Eugene O”Neil, and how she made it possible for him to create his great works.
Triple Portrait of Florine Stettheimer, 2017,
Assembled Sand Cast Glass with Inclusions
32” x 11” x 4”
This piece is about Florine Stettheimer. She was an american surrealists artist in the early twentieth century. This is a triple portrait of her. In the center is her self portrait which is based on Manet’s Olympia which in turn was based on Titians Venus of Urbino. I am continuing the link by showing that she referenced herself in this portrait. The flower and the bird are also representative of her in her opening up and her sensual nature. And lastly, it is also a self-portrat, as if if I were an artist in the 1920’s.
Trenchard, Birdhouse, 14 x 14" Sand Cast Class with Inclusions, 2014
Jeremy Popelka has been casting hot glass since 1981. His work is in many museums and collections. He has taught nationally. Please call or email to see more work.
Jeremy Popelka blows fine vessels in the venetian style of murrini glass. Please call for prices and availability.
Through the use of color and pattern Trenchard establishes a sense of place and creates landscapes through color.
2014, Oil on Canvas, 48" x 60"
2014, Oil on Canvas, 36" x 36"
Original and custom pendant & sconce lighting fixtures and lamps. Prices start at $290. Hardware not included
Established in 1997 Popelka Trenchard Glass is a full working hot glass studio & fine art gallery where nationally known artist Jeremy Popelka & Stephanie Trenchard work and teach.
Currently we have the following representation:
Bender Gallery , Asheville, NC
Pieces Gallery Vail, CO
Raven Gallery, Aspen, CO
Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Fish Creek, WI
