More Than Just Stained Glass

Scenic Pieces

"Beacon In The Night"

In the fall of 1987, after completing 3 weeks' worth of stained glass classes, I was disappointed and just a tad discouraged with the medium. We were working with lead came, and having been born into a family of fine and commercial artists, I really needed more than this clunky, rough "art". I remember saying out loud as I was putting some simple piece together, "and they call this ART?" Photography was another of my hobbies, and I subscribed to several magazines. In one, I found a lovely sunset photo of a lighthouse, absolutely *flipped*, and went running to buy all that I needed to design my own. Thanksgiving Weekend. Friday found me at the supplier's shop. By Sunday night, the piece was finished, and I took it back for critique.

This piece has a story behind it besides. I needed a second back operation in 1989. The doctor had no idea exactly what was wrong with my back, except that I had fallen again, and was in extreme pain. As he was taking me to surgery, he explained that he didn't know what was wrong, and was going to have to do exploratory surgery. My words to Dr. Conroy were, "If I have to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, I will, but please just get rid of the pain!" - he said, "o.k.!", and off we went. The next day, I was running the halls of the hospital. Shortly after my recovery, I made another of this special panel and named it "Beacon In the Night" and dedicated it to my doctor, who was MY Beacon In the Night.

Lighthouse at Kellene Point

The photo above is with natural backlight. Note the gulls flying. These are pieces of foil cut, taped and soldered to the glass surface. Note the difference between natural back- and front-lighting (below).

Country Boy and Girl

Again, note the difference between the backlit version (left) and the frontlit (right).

Left: Calendar Photo of Big Sur
Right Inspired panel of Big Sur

This was the second original panel that I designed. I must admit to having gotten "lost" while cutting the glass, and you can see where the ocean shifts away from the rest of the flow. This 2nd original panel has over 100 pieces, and in about 20 years will be a true collector's item!