Remembering...

Over 12 years of running Apollo Stained Glass I have worked with some amazing and lovely customers. It has been, and continues to be, a great privilege to meet so many different people and to be trusted to work on their homes. There are so many jobs that I haven't featured (including many intricate floral ones that didn't seem quite appropriate for the winter!). It's not always the most complex or challenging job that stands out though. Some people are truly inspiring and remain in the memory long after. This post is in memory of a very special lady, Mrs Chilvers, that I had the pleasure of working for and whose bright, encouraging words and generous nature remain a fond memory.

 

Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas full of good memories and good times to come.

  

Well it is nearly Christmas...

Making snowballs for Open Studios.

A little festive cheer.

 

So many beautiful blues like winter skies.

Snowballs!

Robin (Canadian style)

 

More Snowballs falling fast, above and below!

I love this little panel, I didn't make it but it's so quirky and perfect for Christmas.

 

Sandblasted snowflakes.

 

 

Brilliant cut stars lighting up the way.

 

CAFC supporting snowman heading a star!

 

 

 

Italian Angels

In 2009 I was very lucky to be asked by the artist, Anita Klein to make in stained glass, 6 angels from her series of Italian Angels. The stained glass design was based on and closely matched the existing prints. Here are some photos of various stages of the process before they went to Anita for cold painting...

Angel of the Stars

Angel of the Lemons

Angel of the Birds

Angel of the Wine

Angel of the Mist

Angel of the Mist

Angel of the Seedling

Angel of the Seedling

Angel of the Birds

Angel of the Seedling

Angel of the Birds

 Angel of the Stars

 

Angel of the Wine

Painted and presented in light boxes at The Boundary Gallery.

 

These works have all sold now but you can see more of Anita Klein's beautiful work on her website here 

An angel watching over...

A skylight is a perfect opportunity to have something beautiful looking down. Here is an exhatch to the attic above a stairwell drop, with a window in the roof above shedding light down.

Before - an ugly piece of 'Georgian Wired' glass. 



Preparing to lead up the angel.

 

An angel takes flight!

 

Detail of roundels.

Gluechip Glass in the wings and Baroque glass for the dress starts to glow luminously when light begins to fade. 

 

 

"Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together" - John Ruskin

A painted line is a direct communication from the person who places their brush upon the glass, there is no process of glass or lead to lessen the human touch. I have the great privilege of restoring many beautiful painted pieces, to gaze upon them up close and wonder about the people who painted them, the world they lived in and the images they created. Domestic work is under researched and has been overshadowed by the huge body of awe inspiring religious work but there many beautiful examples cherished as much by their proud owners as the greatest of cathedrals.



The peace and tranquillity of the countryside on your front door.

 

Elegant quarry work - simple and stunning repeated across fanlights and upper bay windows.

 

 

Beautiful stairwell panels and detail below.

 

 

Conservatory lakeside scene.

 

Detail from above panels.

Section of front door panels - painted quarries.

 

Birds were a popular subject in the Victorian era, this one has been cut down from a circular shape, the yellow curves in the corners show the remains of a circle border -nothing wasted in a busy studio!

The Rolls Royce of domestic work, almost every piece painted and acid etching in the fruit to bring out lighter shades.

Life is a journey of exploration - a great Victorian theme!

 

Part of a beautiful set of 'seasons' panels - mentioned on an earlier blog

 

An Arts and Crafts panel -the lower line reads 'Let Glasgow Flourish'. Sadly if paint is under fired or the mix is not quite right then the paint becomes unstable and over time can wear away.

 

This thoughtful, slightly anxious looking man is Jude from The Ancestors of Christ series at Canterbury Cathedral. Like many cathedrals Canterbury have their own dedicated stained glass workshop that researches and restores their fragile medieval panels. As these panels are gradually restored they are placed on show for a short time until they are refitted next year. If you get the chance to visit the cathedral you can see up close the hands and thoughts of medieval workers as they helped to create one of the most impressive cathedrals. It's a rare and unique opportunity and from the 18th of May until 23rd August 2015 (with a short break in July) 40 Ancestors of Christ panels will be on show in the Chapter House. Not to be missed!