Glasswings

Journeying

2010-09-16T02:09:00.003Z

I've recently come back from travels round the world: South Pacific, Australia, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam. I have been enriched beyond words, in how and why different cultures create the way they do. So I'll just post a few highlights for the moment.

The Cook Islanders are very resourceful using the coconut tree:
hats, skirts, baskets, mats, wall, beams and roofs, food.
What else do you need in a tropical climate?!!

The lei's around my neck
were made for our arrival, they smelt wonderful for days! -a sign of hospitality
(Our daughter is also named after these flowers!)

The patterns on the fish reminded me of the tattoo designs.

A traditional canoe Islanders still use for fishing - also shown in Islanders songs and dancing

Surrounded by miles of coral reef and Pacific Ocean

Apparently kids use the starfish as frisbees,
and these amazingly colourful clams are endangered
because the locals love to eat them so much!
(the Australians have set up nurseries all round the island - phew!)

An amazing creature I had the rare privilege of snorkelling with - mother and calf.
No wonder its decorated so beautifully.

Sydney Opera House - icon of Australia, an architectural scandal in its day though!

This exhibition was about the dreams and ambitions
of many locals in Singapore as they do their everyday jobs.

Singapore's present cultural poise.

This building is an example of the crazy and
colourful architecture in Singapore.

At this Cambodian Buddhist Temple ruin, this tree is is about 250 years old!

Buddha face is on four sides of each pillar.

Tuc- tuc travel: best way in the heat.
The driver shared that learning English is the
best way out of poverty in Cambodia - as tourism is growing fast.

Was really inspired by this local Vietnamese style - rice pickers in the fields

In Vietnam I was impressed by this acrobatic orchestral show - once for royalty, now for tourists

Glasswings

2010-07-17T15:49:00.002Z

Welcome to Glasswings.

This blog is a selection of my glass work, mainly painted glass and lead.

My work often underlines philosophical and spiritual ideas. Each painted and sculpted image reflects the sometimes fragile, yet beautifully coloured movement of light.

My hope is that these images, as they have for myself, will lighten your path.

If you are interested in a commission please bear in mind I am based in East Devon.

Once upon a time...

2010-07-10T07:31:00.004Z

I became first interested in glass at college through vacuum forming transparent plastics - it was thought the project would better in glass. I was drawn to the use of colour, space and movement in and around the layers of plastic. I subsequently wrote a study about how mythological narrative was evident in three works of art; one of which was a John Piper window at Coventry Cathedral.

At the end of my A-levels, I decided to continue my interest in decorative glass in architecture by enrolling on a degree course in architectural glass in Swansea, Wales. I found that my interest in light as a natural source, and its spiritual quality was the inspiration for my designs and understanding of glass. It can be decorated in such ways to control the movement of light, the intensity of colour, and the projection of image and form to create a visual narrative in an architectural space.

Over the years I have visited many magnificent Cathedrals, beautiful intimate chapels, also other private and public spaces. I have been often astounded by the influence that glass windows have in the space; hour by hour, and also season by season as the sunlight changes. The quality of light is different, for example, to a climate that doesn't have seasons.

As my work develops, I hope to be increasingly sensitive to the influence controlled light has in an architectural space.

Please contact me if you would like to join me on this journey in some way: a commission, exhibition or simply an email: deborah@glasswings.co.uk

Flower Power

2010-07-09T00:45:00.000Z

Detail of paintwork

This window was installed in Exmouth, Devon, June 2011, the theme was based on a William Morris poppy design. It is situated half way up a narrow flight of stairs in a period house. This photo was taken in the western evening sunlight and so colours are cooler. I painted and leaded this double glazed panel, choosing the texture and colour to subtly diffuse the buildings in the background.

Latest Window Commision

2010-05-25T08:53:00.003Z

Just before Easter 2011 completed a porch window. The theme was the 'Shirley' poppy.

2010-05-24T13:58:00.006Z

Here is a porch window I completed recently in Exeter. Was a pleasure working on this!

My Latest Commission -wood and glass sculpture!

2009-08-25T10:50:00.017Z

My husband and I installed this sculpture on the 9th August 2009, funded by the Lottery Commission.

This community project was a year in the planning and making, together with staff and volunteers Aylesbury Youth Action. We were finally relieved for it to find its home in the sensory garden of Aylesbury's " The Grove" respite home, Buckinghamshire.

The brief from the young people using the home:
*glass framed using natural resources
*bright colours
*shapes that were circular/curvy/arches/meandering
*textures that rippled and bubbled
*to work with the sound of wind chimes/running water/rustle of leaves in the trees near by
*possible themes: the journey of water through leaves/trees, the fun in how nature moves, our relationship with nature.

I hope they all enjoy touching and seeing it in the garden in the years to come!

2009-07-12T20:47:00.001Z

I made these fused glass pieces for the top table at a friends wedding summer 2008.

Some other examples of my work 2000-08

2008-04-02T22:29:00.004Z

Sample panel - experiementing with two separate designs: one in lead and one in paint

2008-04-02T22:28:00.003Z

The ideas behind this panel was to create a design from an abstract collage of a lily flower. I was also experimenting with form and texture of the paint. This added to the multiple layering of images through the choice of colour of glass, line of the lead, the balance of opacity and translucency, and use of visual techniques ie. colourful border.

2008-04-02T22:22:00.003Z

This panel design is a section from a longer story board of the Gospel form the Bible. The glass is painted and leaded.

2008-04-02T22:08:00.003Z

This is a large panel made for St. Mary's church in Bridgend, Wales. The glass is traditionally stained, painted and leaded. The subject is Jesus as the Good Shepherd laying his life down for the sheep (his people).

2008-04-02T21:49:00.008Z

This panel is a sample for Swansea library using enamel paints symbolising the flow of creative learning.

It now has a home at The C of E BeaconPrimary School, Exmouth

2008-04-02T20:19:00.003Z

This panel was inspired by birds in flight along an estuary (price guide - £75)

2007-09-07T21:02:00.001Z

This is a commision for a house in Bristol above a bathroom door. My client wanted to have hidden fishes, darting in the design-I loved creating this sense of mystery within the design. I think it added something; giving the impression of moving light within the glass, a spacial depth. (Guide Price £550)

2007-08-16T20:22:00.000Z

The Good Shepherd

2007-04-28T21:39:00.000Z

Coloured Glass, Paint and Lead
250mm x 250mm

This sample panel is taken from a design intended to replace east facing church window in St Mary's church,Wales. The theme of this commission was chosen to fit in with the rural situation of the church and the surrounding farming community. The good shepherd theme originates from Bible scripture in John's gospel and the Psalms.

"I am the good shepherd who is willing to die for the sheep ... there are other sheep which belong to me that are not in the sheep fold. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock with one shepherd. The father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again. No one takes my life from me. I give it up of my own free will."
John 10v11,16-18 (GNB)

Patience

2007-04-17T20:54:00.000Z

Coloured Glass, Paint and Lead
1: 250mm x 250mm
2: 600mm x 400mm

These two sample panels are part of a large glass wall designed to separate the cafeteria of Leeds city art gallery from the gallery space itself.
The theme is the ongoing process of creativity. This serves as background scenery as people are relaxing, drinking their coffee in the cafeteria.
As natural light is limited, I have used pastel colours, fluid lead lines and reflective grooves in the glass.