Autonomous (Free-Hanging) Stained Glass is conceptually similar to easel painting. These were the self-contained student projects that were the basis of my studies in the Fine Arts Department at LSU. Autonomous stained glass is not preoccupied with client, context or budget. They are serious, if sometimes playful, explorations – I wish I had time to do more.
Sun Dog
This panel was inspired by elusive and colorful sun dogs that can sometimes be seen when the sun hides along the silvery edges of a cloud. Sun Dog was exhibited at the Stained Glass Association of America’s Centennial Exhibition in Columbus, Ohio.
Read moreAurora
Even though this is a backlit installation in a hospital meditation area, Aurora is conceptually an autonomous design that is as much about subject matter as context.
Read moreHawaiian Suite
The Hawaiian Suite evolved from photographs and pencil sketches done during a visit to the islands of Hawaii and Kauai. Hawaii’s natural beauty and immediacy contrasted starkly with both my architectural commission work . These experiences inspired a rediscovery of earlier autonomous directions.
Read moreCritical Mass
Architectonic containment is manipulated in this autonomous piece. Critical Mass was used as the “after” in a “before and after” ad campaign for one of Microsoft “Windows” print ad campaigns.
Read moreAperture I & II
The two companion panels, Aperture I: Zoochrome & Aperture II: Phytochrome reconsider containment and complementary hues, hue absorption and hue echo. Later Aperture II: Phytochrome was installed as a residential window.
Read moreEclipse
This window began as an autonomous panel, but was taken under wing by an architect who incorporated it into his home studio. See any “lightlines”?
Read moreLightsketch Series
Because autonomous stained glass is not required to keep out weather, I wondered from time to time about the possibility of eliminating some of the leading. I finally began exploring this possibility in the Lightsketch Series.
Read moreAfter LSU: Dallas 1977-82
After graduating from LSU in 1977 and moving to Dallas, I continued doing autonomous work. These efforts received favorable reviews in a number of museums and galleries across the country. Every now and then someone actually bought one. Here are a few from that time.
Read moreLSU Work
Unless you want to read my long-winded story about how I crossed paths with stained glass, don’t click “read more” – just enjoy the slide show of some of the work I did while a student in LSU’s stained glass department.
Read more