AdammsGallery

Merle Norman Estate Roundel Stained Glass

     About one year ago I was given a lead on a job to repair or restore a roundel stained glass window. As sometimes happens time dragged on until about six month later when I was contacted by the client and asked to begin work. The window was a roundel window made from 3" roundels in red, amber, blue, and green. The home was the original Santa Monica home of cosmetics entrepreneur Merle Norman. The window had fallen out of its' window sash on a third level staircase. The window was only 12" x 24" but it was a gem. The red roundels were actually clear roundels with an overlay of clear red antique(hand blown) glass. The rest of the roundels were their true color. The field glass was a pale amber cathedral. The window needed to be totally restored.

    After we brought the window back to our studio we soaked it in water to loosen the putty and make disassembly easier, and safer for the glass. We happened to have enough colored roundels to replace the broken pieces, and we used 5/16" round lead to match the original leading. For such a small window it was a time consuming job. The end result was stunning. the vibrancy of the glass was magnificent, as was the combination of colors. With the help of a fabulous carpenter and handy man Don Van Cura,(the entire window frame and sill had to be replaced as it was rotted out) we installed in a new sash and made the window operable as a drop down transom.

 

     The owners loved it so much they decided to go ahead with another project they had been contemplating. The downstairs guest bedroom at one point had had an artificial skylight. The 8" x 72" opening had been covered over and a chandelier hung in its place. We were commissioned to make a roundel skylight duplicating the smaller one we had restored for the staircase. We were able to get the 3" colored roundels from Bendheim in New Jersey, a company we often go to for German art glass, and other supplies. Once again it was a lot of work for a small panel, but as before, it was worth it. After cleaning up the ceiling space for the electrical work we had Nick Mendoza of R and N Electric set up the LED lighting. We installed the roundel panel with 2 1/4" casing stained to match the wood ceiling. We were all very happy with the end result.

Ian Whitt Glass Artist

       

Ian Whitt grew up in Hattiesburg, MS about an hour away from the Gulf Coast. He first discovered glass blowing on a family vacation to Hawaii. “From the first second I saw glass blowing I was hooked, I was fascinated with the way the glass flowed and moved, it almost seemed to be alive.” Ian then began taking introductory glass workshops at the New Orleans School of Glassworks and Printmaking for a year. The Glass Art Society held their annual conference in New Orleans that same year and for the first time Ian was exposed to huge glass pieces being made by large teams of glass workers. Ian attributes this one weekend as the pivotal turning point where glass became his main focus and took over his life.

Ian received a BFA from the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Smithville, TN. He has worked for various glass artists around the Penland, NC and Asheville areas. He currently resides in the San Francisco Bay area.

Although we were both in New Orleans for the 2004 Glass Art Society conference, I first noticed Ian's work while viewing another website many years after. Ian's simple straight forward, and balanced designs in his blown glass bowls, and vases appealed to me, as did his sense of flowing water in his sculptural water falls.  After becoming familiar with his work a customer, who knew him, suggested that I carry his work. It didn't take long for us to hook up. I placed an order for his bowls and vases, but knowing my clientele,  suggested some color changes for my gallery. Unfortunately, shortly after I made my first order Ian suffered a hand injury that set him back a few months. It wasn't until over three months later that I received his work.

     Needless to say I was very pleased with what he sent. I've always believed that art work should speak for itself, and Ian's pieces do exactly that. The vibrant glossy, and colorful glass brings a sense of joy and happiness, as well as igniting a playfulness inside.

Ian's work will fit in many homes as it is not overbearing, yet stands up for itself in any environment. The size of his pieces works very well also, as they are not overbearing. They can be stand alone pieces, or work well in a grouping.