4) Flora and Fauna Flowers, trees, leaves, birds, elephants, tortoises, cockerels, cows...you get the idea. Mother Nature is an excellent resource for stained glass designs.
5) The Year Still on the theme of nature, the changing seasons always bring fresh inspiration....as does the cycle of festivals and celebrations as we move through each year.
6) Trademarks and Logos Sometimes, when I've been given a brief to design a window featuring, for example, a cow, I find it really helpful to search Google Image for logos featuring cows...to look at interesting ways to break down the subject to its essential components in a few simple lines.
The other thing about logos is that they're designed to be eyecatching, visually satisfying and memorable in a way that is usually fun. Step forward, Mr Peanut, who was quite probably floating around somewhere in my head when I was designing Eugene and friends.
Images from here and here
Well, that's definitely six, but I might have to include this...
7) Victorian Domestic Stained Glass It's what I used to do when I lived and worked in London. Rows upon rows of Victorian terraces, all being refurbished and restored to their former glory by eager homeowners...the 1980s double-glazed front doors ripped out and replaced by as close a possible match to what would have been there 100 years before. Those beautfifully muted colours - heather, olive, flaxen, violet, sage, rose - juxtaposed with a jaunty red border or some brilliantly sparkling hand-spun roundels. Delicious. And the quirky charm of a hand-painted centrepiece, featuring a bright-eyed bird perched on a twig about to devour some poor little critter. I still paint these to order, it's always a pleasure to do.
I shan't tag anyone in particular, just anyone who is interested in doing this. I'd love to see what fires you up.
Its fascinating seeing your design inspiraions. Your victorian stained glass is stunning. I can see why you enjoyed it. The rectangular panel with the fish is wonderful. Thanks for sharing all these thoughts. Juliex
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your last two posts, I am so with you on many of the influences (70's childhood, oh yes, especially Fisherprice and Bod). I used to work at The Imperial War Museum, pay was awful but it was my favourite ever job, I wrote my degree dissertation on how WW2 affected fashion.
ReplyDeleteI dream of a nice piece of Victorian Stained Glass we live in a Victorian house and I did try to persuade OH to let me have a traditional door with panels but money wouldn't allow.
Lovely read and lovely images.
Bethx
I agree with 家瑩
ReplyDeletewow! gorgeous array of beautiful images and work there ms. may.
I can see you put a huge amount of thought and work into this post, It's an interesting excercise is'nt it ?