Custom Designing a Stained Glass Window

       

                 original sketch                      final sketch                          final glass cut                     

       leaded up not soldered

     

     picture before installation                                                                              installed

                                
                                          Stained Glass with Susan Gott's Companions on right

 I love drawing and so it is always  fun for me to design stained glass windows. Sometimes is is very easy.  I have found that I am naturally  talented in drawing nature particularly flowers and landscapes.  If I have to design a window of a rose bush, even stylized I can have it in minutes. The same is true for landscapes, seascapes, and even animals. However,  it is a totally different story when I need to design abstract windows. Although some of our typical abstract designs have also become routine.

     When a customer asks me to come up with a completely new design that is artsy this is where I require lots of time.  i may take weeks to play around with ideas in my mind, and go through various styles, and approaches. An artist is always looking for a new theme or style. Pushing oneself in new directions is very good for the mind. It also gives you a great deal of satisfaction.  Not only reaching your goal, but the entire process of discovery is rewarding.

     With this particular project the client wanted an "artsy" window to serve as a backdrop  in her living room. The project was even more personal because I happened to really like the client who I have known for many, many years.  She was a client not only for previous stained glass projects, but she was a very good customer of the glass art gallery. It was because of her love of a particular artists work that I started thinking of using the theme of one of the artists pieces that my client pu4rchased and favored. With this in mind I started thinking about Susan Gott's "The Campanions" as  the focus of the window. "The Companions" are two tall, over 30 inches in height, cast glass sculptures set on a black granite base. They are quite colorful, but in a classy, subtle way. Susan Gott also makes use of copper wire for the hair.  This was an element we wanted to incorporate into the window.

     At first I worked on designs that used a realistic image of the male companion and a female figure that had come to life that was caressing the male.  I was looking for something that showed a sensuousness and evoked emotions. From here the client decided that she would prefer a more abstract  rendering. With this in mind I researched some Picasso and started drawing design with some of his techniques. I wanted  enough color to make it exciting, but not take away from the sculptures themselves.  I set the figures on a background of colorful squares scattered  to form a loose border. This also gave the window a feeling of pixels about to come together to form an object. I made three renditions of this design.  I altered the eyes, shape of the bodies, and size of the companions.  The design started coming together nicely.

     At this point, with the clients approval, I draw the design full size, and cut some of the glass pieces to help us all get a sense of what was coming together.  We changed the colors of the Companions keeping the colorful border. The client picked out some wonderful glass that in the end worked exceedingly well in her living room. We soldered copper wire for hair.  We first used a verde patina and gold paint on the wire. This matched the finish on the original Companions. We decided not to put a wood frame on the pieces opting instead for a 3/4" zinc came border. This allowed the focus to be on the Companions and color and it was not overshadowed by a heavy looking frame.

     My client loved the window. I hung it in front of a stationary glass window that has sliding glass doors on either side., and just above an antique sofa. Along with my client I was very satisfied.

Comments

[Vancouver Glass]

Today, stained glass is being chosen more often for windows in homes all across the country and the world. They are an art form that enhances the beauty of any home, and in some instances, stained glass windows can even add to the value of the home.

[jessesToons]

I love this, thanks for sharing! I have been working on a windows Ottawa project with my sister and we are going to try it out. I really hope it works out and it will look as cool as these, wish us luck!

[Roxy - Window Repairs]

Omg! That looks so amazing! The design almost has an Egyptian feel to it! Great work.