CUSTOM WORK

There are many reasons why clients may wish to commission stained glass. Perhaps it is to mark a special occasion—a wedding or anniversary, a special birthday or in memoriam. It may be to enhance a space, to hide an unsightly view or create greater privacy. Whether the project is large or small, the process is much the same.

ASSESSMENT
The first step after an initial contact is to thoroughly assess the requirements of the project. An on-site visit is best to evaluate the light, the style of the setting, the color scheme. Usually an exchange of ideas will take place, measurements and photographs taken.

DESIGN
With the notes from the initial evaluation, some preliminary sketches are made. These will be discussed with the client and hopefully a consensus will be reached. At this point, there will be a discussion of the budget and time line for the project. Once these are approved, work can begin.

PRODUCTION
Full scale drawings are made. The glass is chosen, cut, painted or sandblasted as needed, and finally assembled

INSTALLATION
Framing of smaller autonomous panels can be done using a variety of materials, whether wood or metal and hung within an opening. Alternatively, the glass panel will be installed directly in an existing opening. Framing and installation options will be discussed during the initial consultation process.

PRICING STAINED GLASS
Pricing of custom stained glass is a combination of materials and labor. Clients often ask how much for a window of a specific size. Size, however, is only one factor. There are several other variables that come into play which include:

• The cost of the glass itself can vary greatly.
  
• Any glass enhancing techniques, such as glass painting or sandblasting will increase the overall cost as these techniques are time consuming and will impact labor.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
  

Pricing for a project can only be done once there is a clear understanding of the scope of the project.
The key to the success of any custom design project is good communication between client and the artist.

PROJECTS

DESIGN CHALLENGE  - REYNOLDS WINDOW
    The clients needed greater privacy for their bathroom window.  Previously open to the west, a new house had recently been built beside them.  The window was directly above the bathtub.  Venetian blinds were a temporary solution.  The color in the room was a pale sage green with white and a hint of taupe and pink in some of the resident art work. 
   

DESIGN SOLUTION
    The color scheme was kept soft and light, with a fair amount of clear glass to allow ample light.   I used the original arched window as a starting point and imaged it as part of the golden rectangle.   While the overall spiral design has a sense of movement, there are also numerous small details to entertain the eye while soaking in the tub.  I am told that the piece is quite stunning when seen as the sun goes down. 

DESIGN CHALLENGE
    In this case, the clients wanted to hide a very unattractive view on a stairway landing.  The clients first sent digital photos and I later followed up with an on-site visit.  The aesthetic in their home was very minimalist, with clean lines and color coming mainly from their artwork.  They wanted something in keeping with this, but also asked for some 'punchy' color.

DESIGN SOLUTION
    The inspiration for the design came from the very graphic nature of the unusual stairway banister.  In the design I translated that into a dark gray lattice.  I kept the colors fairly light, so as not to darken the stairwell too much, and added some 'jazz' style sandblasted elements and some rich red/amber glass to make it glow. 
   

DESIGN CHALLENGE
    Long time clients wanted me to create a special wedding gift for a young couple in Ireland.  The future groom proposed at Niagara Falls and the clients wanted to commemorate the occasion in a small panel.  An abstracted view of the falls perhaps.  It had to be small enough to carry on board a plane as well for the trip to Ireland.
      I had visited the falls not long before and they are, of course, beautiful.  But how to translate into glass? Creating an abstracted waterfall seemed possible, but how to identify the locale as Niagara Falls and none other was a challenge.   I revisited my photos from the trip for inspiration. 
   

Detail of Niagara Falls panel.

DESIGN SOLUTION
    The germ of an idea came from looking at the distinctive wrought iron railings at the falls.  I remembered seeing these railings in the background of photos taken when my family visited years ago.  They were still the same.  This became the starting point for the design........the painted site-specific railing with an abstract waterfall.
   
 

DESIGN CHALLENGE - MEDIEVAL BOTANICALS
    Again, the impetus for the project came from a desire to hide an unattractive view while simultaneously bringing color into the room.  The clients were much taken with my Bayeux Tapestry panels which had a historical reference and made use of very strong colors.  I was a little surprised by the clients request when  I saw the home which had very restrained colors on the walls and a modern sensibility to their artwork.  But the clients were clear.  They wanted to bring strong color into the environment.  And they did not want anything too symmetrical.  They preferred asymmetry and an organic design. 
  

DESIGN SOLUTION
    This was not easily arrived at.  Several false starts were made including a design proposal which the clients endorsed, but which I felt did not fully 'nail' the idea.  I left the project for quite awhile awaiting further inspiration. 
    The windows were located in a dining room and from the start we had discussed the use of a plant theme.  Much later, I came across a series of medieval botanical drawings which seemed well suited.  The structure for the panels was derived from a gothic arch, tilted on its side and the three separate panels were unified with a wide border that spanned the composition as a whole.  Finally I felt that it was coming together and this time the clients endorsed the concept with the kind of enthusiasm I had found missing the first time around. 
    When the panels were installed they were like jewels set into the wall and the reaction of the clients was very gratifying.