Stained Glass is about creativity that is pure excitement, passion and yes fun satisfaction. It happens when you least expect it for some it happens while staying at a cottage at the beach. The salty air, seashells and interesting things lying on the beach spark creativity. Stained Glass art and craft is born every day in the souls of those in need to make something.
Creativity equals satisfaction. Creativity must be affordable and accessible to everyone.
Stained glass art is a passion yet at the same time a medium that people are drawn in by its textures, light and infinite colors. It is different from drawing, pottery, and other forms of art yet it fuses all other mediums to come up with a new way of viewing our world.
Sadly, many people who attend craft shows think of stained glass as a decorative craft. Often I will tell an acquaintance that I own a stained glass business and they automatically ask me if I could make them a sun catcher, lampshade, or maybe a sidelight. Most people don’t understand the cost of glass, foil, came and solder, not to mention the patina and use of tools and time.
Most who walk into Wal-Mart can find a stained glass lamp for $20. The problem is that they probably purchased something made in China and sadly made by someone who earned pennies just so big Wal-Mart could profit off of slave wages. Another concern is that due to a profit margin most who makes stained glass lamps or sun catchers must cut corners in the types of materials and the amount of materials they use.
It was mentioned recently by a stained glass artist in Roanoke, Virginia that they’ve been commissioned to fix stained glass pieces made in China and noticed that the pieces weren’t properly soldered. It comes down to that you get what you pay for.
Another strong association for many of us is religious art in church windows. These are all appealing and appropriate uses of stained glass, although lately I’ve noticed churches in Roanoke using opaque glass as opposed to translucent. It’s not a design just some pretty glass they thought they would hang.
It is exciting seeing contemporary stained glass art. Stained glass as a hobby is easy to learn, and it isn’t hard on the hands and lastly don’t take as long as say knitting. It’s a great hobby for retirement communities, home schooled children and aftercare programs. I’ve actually made stained glass panels with 10 children ages 9-13.
Like a painter, I explore light, color and texture. Like a sculptor, I create pieces that are both 3-dimensional in reality and also give the viewer a 3-dimensional illusion; and they are tactile - at a recent show, nearly everyone who stopped to look at my windows also touched them and felt the contours. Most people love glass, and are fascinated by its transparency or translucence, and the way it toys with light. Colors and textures float in it as though in free space, and shift with changes in the light source as though alive.
Most people love glass, and are fascinated by its transparency or translucence, and the way it toys with light. Colors and textures float in it as though in free space, and shift with changes in the light source as though alive.
Stained glass is often called an architectural art form, because it is usually a part of a building. However, the work can serve two distinct functions within the architectural setting. Some work is architectural in design, comprising abstract or geometrical features that are continuous with or reflect lines and shapes in other components of the building, or maybe modify the look of the world beyond the window. It is part of the architect's try and creates a new place. The connection that the window in the wall of the building is not seen as a connection between outside and inside, but as a frame for art and the daylight is used to bring the image to life.
Glass of different degrees of transparency is used so objects or what is beyond the window may be visible through it. They become part of the work - dynamic because they are subject to different lighting conditions.
Stained Glass is enjoyable for those to look at its beauty, and miracle that the everyday person can make. So go out and get some glass and make something you don’t have to hang on your refrigerator but in your window.
See the world through light!
Summary : Stained Glass is an art, craft and passion. Wal-Mart makes it difficult for artists by purchasing stained glass made in China. Art competes against Wal-Mart’s slave wages. | | Author Info: Lori Rehfeldt is a stained glass artist and owner of www.stainedglassa2z.com and stained glass artist at the community school in Roanoke, VA. |
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