GG Northington

GG Northington views the world through a unique pair of lenses, crafted from an ancient glass that has been tumbled by the ocean. “I grew up a typical Southern California girl, always surfing and racing motorcycles,” she says. Later, GG lived in Laguna Beach, CA with her husband, Rob. “We walked the beach a lot in those days,” she says. “We were constantly picking up shells and beautiful pieces of sea glass when we could find them.” GG’s original sea glass pieces allude that she has been doing this her entire life. On the contrary, she states, “I opened my first beauty salon when I was nineteen.” However, she has always been creative. “I have always been confident in my artistic potential,” she elaborates. GG’s switch to full time artistry came only nine years ago. “We moved to Tarpon Springs from Las Vegas to be close to our daughter,” she says. Once settled in Florida, GG and Rob visited craft shows, markets, and thrift stores. “We encountered a gentleman selling sea glass suncatchers,” says GG. “I told Rob that I could make them too.” With an aura truly in tune with the ocean, she explains, “From Tarpon Springs, we spent a short time living near the Homassassa River. However, my heart belongs where the waves roll upon the sand.” And so, the sea called GG and Rob to the east coast to begin the latest chapter of their lives. Now, contently settled in St. Augustine, the couple searches for the materials to feed GG’s creative spirit. “The fruits of combing the beach for glass alone could never supply my creative demands,” says GG. “So, we supplement by making sea glass from beautiful vintage glassware and brilliantly colored bottles sold on the open market.” Once obtained, the glass is cut and processed in a rock tumbler. “It usually takes about three days of tumbling to reproduce sea glass quality,” says GG. A longtime family member of the High Tide Gallery, she warmly remembers the day she was welcomed in. “I walked in and spoke with the owner at the time, Wayne,” she says. “When I tried to show him pictures, he insisted on seeing the real thing. So, I brought a piece to him and he almost immediately cleared a wall for me.” With work in four different galleries, including an upcoming opening in New Smyrna Beach, GG also offers sea glass art classes. “I feel so blessed to be able to share my passion,” she says. Since High Tide Gallery has moved exclusively to its new St. George Street location, GG has seen a healthy uptick in the sales of her work. A fan favorite is her sea glass Christmas trees. “Last year I made green ones,” she says. “This year I made blue ones from the remnants of Bombay Sapphire gin bottles. They turned out beautifully.” With humility and a deep gratitude for her accomplishments, GG’s future vision is simple. “I would like to have my art in a couple more galleries and to just continue doing what I love.” She concludes, “I am so grateful that I get to do this for the rest of my life.”