AdammsGallery

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.

Glass Sculptures of John Mc Donald

 

There are many types of glass sculpture. There is the fantastic and exotic hot sculptures of Richard Jolly. Blown glass and hot worked sculptures of William Morris, cast glass of Susan Gott, slumped and fused glass of Karen Ehart and Jane Tivol, and blown glass of Barry Entner. The styles and names go on and on. Each of the techniques has there appeal.

There are a multitude of relatively unknown glass artists that produce stunning work at reasonable prices. One of my favorites in this category is John McDonald. John learned much of his trade while working for Rollin Karg in Ketchi, Kansas, and at the prestigious Corning School of Glass in Corning New York. John works out of his studio in Valley Center, Kansas.

John is a very talented and innovative artist. His continuum sculptures are fluid, colorful, and very appealing to all ages. John also blows a variety of vessels that have wonderful depth, color, and engaging shapes.

Whenever we get some of John's work in the gallery it sells very quickly. If you are not familiar with his work I suggest you check it out.

MeridianStreetArtGlass.com

Adammsgallery.com http://www.adammsgallery.com/zcom/product/manufacturer.do?compid=31&manid=165

Art Glass at Woodbury University Fashion Show and Dinner

On May 1, 2011 we packed up 30 large art glass pieces and about 50 smaller pieces for the 36th annunal Woodbury University Fashion Show and Dinner. This year's event, as last year, was held at the Millenium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. I was approached a couple of months prior to the show about bringing glass for center pieces for the dinner. There were 30 tables.

After getting all my concerns addressed( guarantee, insurance, my donation to the University, etc.) we reached an agreement. In return for bringing the pieces and setting them up I would be donating 15% of all sales. The event was to provide dinner for two, and a guarantee in the event we did not sell enough to cover expenses. Members of the University picked many of the pieces to bring. Artists represented were Karen Ehart, Josh Simpson, Barry Entner, Tommie Rush, John McDonald, Charles Lotton, David Tsai, Rick Satava, Victor Chiarizia, Wes Hunting, Michael Nourot, Scott Bisson, Susan Gott, Donald Carlson, Jared Davis, Algerine Correia, Rick Strini, Richard Silver, Rollin Karg, Orient & Flume, John & Heather Fields, Kyle Gribskov, and more.

We packed up at 8:00 AM and arrived at the Hotel at 2:30 PM. The Biltmore is truly a grand hotel from Los Angeles' past. The first Academy Awards were held there. It has entertained Presidents, Kings, and many other dignitaries. It is kept up in incredible coindition. We finsihed setting up the tables by 4:30. Then we went to the room(provided by the University) to change for the fashion show and reception. At the reception we met Dr. Kenneth R. Nielsen, Ed.D.President of the University and his wife. The hoir d'vours were fantastic as were the beverages. The fashion show was very impressive. If you have never been to one I recommend it . Probably once is enough, unless you are in the business. After fashion show we returned to the ballroom for the dinner.Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. Great food, especially desert. The entertainment were dancers from "Dancing With The Stars". Sold only a couple of items but that was OK. When you do promotional things like this you never know when the return will come.

We were fortunate that there was no breakage. Our return trip to Santa Monica was uneventful, and a very good night sleep awaited. All in all it was a tiring, but very good experience. The art glass made for magnificent table settings and we recieved many complements on the pieces. The artists received good representation, and we all had fun.

American Craft Buyer's Shows

 

Randi Solin                                Wendy Linj                            CVhris and Alexandra Pantos      

I returned last weekend from trip to Philadelphia and Baltimore to attend this years buyer's markets. The first show "Buyer's Market of American Craft" was held at the Philadelphia Convention Center.  Among the 768 artists that set up booths were glass artists, jewelers, potters, wood workers, clothing and accessory  designers, iron artists,  candel makers, and mixed media artists. It is always fun visiting old friends and enjoying new work.  I was happy with the turn out, although the show is down from over 1200 artists.

The second show was the American Craft Council show in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore show had just over 700 artists. As is always the case the ACC show had a higher quality of work due to their more rigid standards for admission.  This is not to say that many of the artists in Philadelphia were not of equal talent.  In fact many artists do both shows, or choose to do one or the other and are easily accepted into both.  Here again I found some new artists for the gallery. In addition to ordering work(old standbys and new pieces) from my current artists, I was happy to find new artists both recognized and emerging that attended the show. Philly and Baltimore both have great restaurants, museums, antique shops, shows, and historic sites. I highly recommend both these sites, although not necessily in February.     Some of the new artrists I picked from both shows include Jennifer Duffy and Niev Duffy www.urbanlinksdesign.com  jewelry, Scott Maryjaszek www.artephax.com multi media photography, Sean Browen www.seanbrownartist.com jewelry, Chris and Alexandra Pantos www.tourchworksglass.com glass, Eric and Trudi Cooper www.seaofglassstudio.com jewelry, David Lindsay www.lindsayartglass.com glass, Paul Counts-glass,Wendy Lin www.wendylindesigns.com jewelry, Randi Solin  www.solinglass.comglass,  Margaret Neher www.margaretneher.comglass, Tamara Baskin www.tamarabaskin.com glass, and Art of Fire Glass for Christmas Ornaments. In looking for new work this year, more than  in years past, I looked for work that really blew my socks off.  I hope you will agree.  Most of these artists work will be arriving in the gallery in the next few months.  Of course there will be many new pieces from the over 190 artists I currently represent.

     Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter if you want to stay in touch with what going on  monthly.  Remember, all subscribers are entered into a contest to win  a Glass Eye Celestial Series  Paperweight given away each month.

     I'd also love to hear your feedback on the blog and nesletter.  Until next time  stay healthy.

Adamm Gritlefeld

Adamm's Stained Glass & Gallery

1426 4th St.

Santa Monica, Ca. 90401

310 451 9390

www.adammsgqallery.com

Adamm's Annual Super Sale

                              
Victor Chiarizia alto set 50% OFF    Rollin Karg Orb 40% OFF

Craig Zweifel Wave Vase 25% OFF   Scott Bisson Large Dichro Frog 25% OFF

Only some examples. 

The complete Gallery is on Sale

 The time you have been waiting for has arrived.  Our annual Super Sale begins Sunday December 
26th.  Everything, yes everything in the Gallery is on sale. Take at least 20% off anything in the gallery. No maximums.  Other selected art glass from 25-50 % off.  All jewelry AT LEAST 30% OFF.

     Take advantage of this offer until Januaey 31st, but remember only one of each art piece in stock so when it is sold there are no more. Art glass from Correia, Ed Branson, Victor Chiarizia, Barry Entner, Karen Ehart, John and Heather Fields, Daniel Blade and Stephen Gartner, Susan Gott, Bill Glassner, Elodie Holmes, Bob and Laura Kliss,The Lottons, Michael Nourot, Jim Nowak, Josh Simpson, Jane Tivol, Milon Townsend, Craig Zweifel, and over 150  more artists.

Go to adammsgallery.com for Gallery selection and full pricing. Call or email for more information. We have many more pieces in the Gallery than on line.

     Call or email for best price, the internet is not set up for this Sale offer. 

Susan Gott Master Of Cast Glass Art

   
   
 Based in Tampa, Florida Susan Gott has been working with glass for over 25 years. She holds a Bachelor of Art from Radford University, Radford, Virginia and a Master of Fine Art in Glass from  Kent State University.

Her work involves many steps and requires an enormous amount of cultural research, skill, artistry, creative genius, and physical strength. She creates molds , then forms sand molds for casting.  Sometimes carving the sand itself.  She laddles molten glass at 2400 degrees into these molds. During the filling of the mold she may choose to place decorative glass elements, and or metal wires and sheet metal.  She then paints them with powered glass and allows them to cool.  More work is required for the finished product.  At carefully chosen places she polishes areas of the glass giving windows into the enclosed worlds she creates. Finally the glass sculptures are glued to a granite base.

Susan describes her work in these words "My work embodies my interest in mythological imagery, symbolism, and

philosophies from historic and ancient cultures as I investigate these ideas

using glass as a sculptural medium. The elements of this ancient, visual

language express the union of human being and nature. These images have

become enmeshed in my thought and in my art to create a new myth-os in glass.

My sources of inspiration seem endless. I am intensely interested in archeology and the rituals and art

of various world religions. Some of the additional influences include the work of Joseph Campbell,

the figurines of ancient Eastern Europe, the symbolism found in Indonesian and African masks, the

mysteries of the Celts, the myths of ancient Greece, the belief systems of Native American, and the

energy centers of the Chakras.

The resulting glass, with primitive qualities and metaphors, are a visual re—presentation of the

cycles of life. The human form becomes a vessel for connection to Spirit. These investigations

have opened new sources of inspiration for my work and strengthened a connection between my art

and that, which is timeless".

I have been representing Susan for over 15 years and have always admired the way she is constantly changing and improving her art.

    If you are interested in meeting Susan in Los Angeles she will be at a show in the Santa Monica Gallery October 9th, 2010.  www.adammsgallery.com