After graduate school, I enrolled in my first stained glass making class. I started this adventure making stained glass using the foil method, and now almost exclusively use lead came, unless I’m making a lamp shade. My work has its roots in the Arts and Crafts Movement/Prairie Style. I admire the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and Dutch artist Mondrian.
There are several things important to me when I create any work of art:
1) I enjoy color that pops in any light condition;
2) I like simplicity of the Arts and Crafts Movement, the straight lines, and simple design;
3) I like to create works of art that change as the light changes; and lastly; and 4) I like to create works of art that make people smile.
I use quarter-sawn oak to frame my pieces. I like seeing the marks of the grain of the wood. In addition to traditional framed stained glass pieces, I also create all sizes of lamp shades. I use only high quality glass, and my clear glass consists only of antique clear glass that has it’s own texture. I also like using different types of glass, bold colors, and glass with different textures. Most recently, I’ve been experimenting with more abstract designs, designs that have movement, and larger metal outdoor sculptures that include pieces of stained glass.