East Coast Bud Transom Window 2018

For one of our sons and family we made this transom window. It measured some 66 inches wide by 10 inches high. It was recently installed over their front door in Leduc Alberta.

We incorporated the East Coast Bud design from our Glass Eye 2000 stained glass computer program from the initial design by Jan Williams. This was a Victorian Panel design Circa 1837 -1901 originating on the East Coast of the USA.

For the border glass we used Youghiogheny 900DSR a Dark Blue Waterglass. This is a beautiful art glass however for the inexperienced stained glass artist it can be difficult to cut as well as foil but the end result is well worth the effort. The East Coast Buds were made from Bullseye 2311-30 a Cranberry Pink & White Double Rolled.

The clear glass was Spectrum’s SP – 100B Barnwood, which we were able to procure prior to their selling of their business to Oceanside Glasstile in Carlsbad California. Fortunately we were able to match the barnwood across each section of the 3 Buds and the way it ended up the panels blended extremely well together across the full width of the design.

The first photo is taken from inside the home and one can see how the Barnwood glass matched across the window.

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Sewing Machine Panel Summer 2018

Our client’s wife is a long time quilter and for her birthday he wanted to give her a stained glass sewing machine panel. The panel measured 12 inches high by 14 inches wide. The spool of thread alongwith the 2 round black dials were overlaid on the panel. We also used overlaid wire for the thread and needle.

We used strips of colored glass to represent quilting material. Her sewing machine was a Bernina and we added the name in black lettering as a final touch.

Design by Flory Wilkins

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Photographer or Picture Taker? The Difference.

THE SEARCH FOR SUBJECTS

What is the difference between a photographer and a picture taker? With so many images online and camera phones everywhere you look, there seems to be a blurred line that differentiates between the two. Set up an Instagram account or a website, add the word photography to your name and all of a sudden you’re a photographer! Really?
For me, there are a number of things that put someone in the ‘photographer’ category. Just as having a tool belt doesn’t make you a carpenter, a paintbrush an artist, or a frying pan a chef, having a camera doesn’t make someone a photographer. So what does? In my view, it boils down to a search. A search to make imagery with impact and emotion.
In the next few posts, beginning with this one, I will outline a few things that photographers are on the lookout for to create visually appealing work. Today: the search for subjects……
In landscape photography a person may travel the globe in search of interesting subject matter. Obviously this isn’t an absolute necessity as beauty can often be found in our own backyard. But that being said, it would be very rare for a casual picture taker to put forth too much effort to get a photograph.
A photographer will search online for potential locations. They will organize holidays and trips just so they can acquire a particular shot. They will travel to areas and scout out specific locations and return later to capture an image. This will take time and expense. Picture takers generally will not go to these lengths. 
The photograph above personally illustrates this point. When planning a family trip to Scotland, I researched ahead of time locations that would lend itself to interesting subject matter. Castles were one of the first things that came to my mind. Upon arriving at Tantallon Castle on the east coast we obviously had to look around and do the tourist thing which included checking out the visitor center. While there I noticed a book that displayed a shot of the castle that was not possible to achieve on the castle grounds. I asked how I would be able to view the castle from this angle and now it was on!
Driving further down the coast we went off the beaten path, through a farmers property, fed a pound coin to an electric gate, down to a small area to park the car. Following old wooden steps we descended down to the sandy, rocky coast with the vast ocean in front of us. Where was the castle? Hiking further up the coast, the castle finally came into view and the search for my subject was over. While the kids made castles in the sand I concentrated on achieving an interesting composition of my own castle.
Did this take time? Absolutely. Expense? A pound coin at minimum. Effort? We had no idea where we were going or where we would end up but it was a mini adventure. I’m not so sure a casual picture taker would do this. Most likely they would stay on the highway, pull over, roll down the window, take a quick snapshot and continue on their way. But if you can relate to this little story, then in my estimation anyways, you have taken the first step to becoming a photographer. Thanks for looking!
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Spruce Up Your Garden Spring 2018

Winter still grips Western Canada but spring will eventually arrive, so now is the time for you to plan  and obtain wonderful items to compliment your outdoors especially those deck flower pots. Our Garden Butterflies, Frogs, Ladybugs and Dragonflies will certainly brighten your flower beds, gardens, flower pots and add that special touch of beauty to your home.

We use very beautiful art glass for these items, including Youghiogheny, Armstrong, Kokomo, Uroboros, Wissmach, Spectrum and Bullseye, some of this glass is Iridescent which adds that extra touch of beauty.

Designs by Flory and Bob Wilkins

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Zebra Panel Christmas 2017

This Zebra panel was commissioned for Christmas 2017 and measured 10 inches wide x 14 inches high. We fortunately still had some Spectrum Baroque #BR 6000 – Black/White/Clear for the 4 corners and for the rest of the frame we had a discontinued piece of Spectrum #4000-9SF Black/Clear.

We used Spectrum #1009W Black Waterglass for the Zebra’s black lines and Spectrum #200CC Corsica Pot White Opal for the white portions. For the nose and ears we used Bullseye Charcoal Grey  Double Rolled #1129.

The background glass was Spectrum #823.92 Teal Green Swirled with White Wispy. The frame is 3/8 inch zinc came, drilled very carefully with key chain rings inserted for the hanging chain,

When making panels we use the Morton Layout Block System and we use a metal square to ensure that the panel is square, as well as making sure corner to corner measurements are exactly the same.

Original Design by Chantal Pare with some slight modifications by Flory Wilkins

 

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