sheila mcdonald
sheila mcdonald
Sheila McDonald originally trained at the Glasgow School of Art and is an artist designer working in silver and vitreous enamel. Her painterly work incorporates many traditional jewellery and silversmithing skills, alongside engraving, etching and stone setting. After many years living and working in Norfolk, Sheila moved back to Scotland last year and is now working from her studio in Edinburgh.
Drawing and painting have always been the starting point for Sheila’s designs; her aim is to try and create a piece of work which is true to her original sketches. Often the drawings are fairly free and the challenge is to keep to the spirit of the design without becoming too rigid.
Working with transparent enamels is a wonderful way of adding colour to silver; layers of fine gold and silver foils within the enamel create a certain depth of colour, and shimmer that can’t be achieved in any other medium.
Sheila creates a range of work including silver beakers, small earrings, brooches, necklaces and cufflinks. She relishes working with clients to create unique pieces that are utterly personal to them, becoming family heirlooms of the future.
Image credit: Goldsmiths’ Company special commission -
Exhibition Highlights: National Museum of Wales, V&A London, Goldsmiths’ Hall, West Dean College, Drapers Hall, National Museum of Scotland
Collections: Kelvingrove Art Gallery Glasgow, Birmingham City Museum, Pearson Collection, Holden Gallery Manchester, Norwich Castle Museum
Awards: Granted Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths’ and Freedom of the City of London
commissions
Sheila works mainly to commission, greatly enjoying collaborating with clients to create truly personal pieces - whether one of her iconic tartan inspired tumblers (see below), botanical design or a beloved family pet. Her delicate sketches are lovingly transferred into enamel, very much keeping the sensitivity of her original pencil drawings.
tartan tumblers
What better way of expressing your Scottish heritage than to drink your favourite tipple from one of Sheila’s iconic tartan inspired tumblers? These beautiful beakers are enamelled with silver and gold leaf and catch the light in the most ravishing way!
Sheila is happy to capture your family tartan, interpreting it into enamel, these really make a sensational gifts and are future heirlooms.
