Friday, 27 September 2013

Stained glass




What is it about stained glass ?

Maybe it's just the combination of simple skills, each slightly therapeutic, leading to something so pleasing.

Making glass is meditative. Not something you can rush. I like things you can't rush. These are two of my pieces, inspired by a holiday in the Lake District.

Blackwell House is a celebration of craftsmanship. Sure, the scenery helps, but the tranquillity of the setting is enhanced by the house itself, where every last piece was designed to be completely congruent with the grand concept of the place. And the quiet quality of the craftsmanship permeates the place as much as the scent of polish on oak.

Anyway, Blackwell House has so many beautiful glass panels that it's hard to take them all in. They are often hidden round corners, so take you by surprise. The sense of delight is unexpected and lovely. And these are my take (on a slightly reduced scale) of two of the panels. They were fun to make, and cheer me up every time I see them

They look complicated, but really do result from the concatenation of very basic skills. Everybody should try working in glass, at least once.

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