These works are best described as paintings with glass. The glass panels fall into several different categories, or series and can be found be clicking the links above. 

Anatomicals

Botanicals

Grammar of Ornament, Rose Windows, Celtic Knots

Miscellaneous, XRays, Fruit CrossSections, Beach Fences, Game Boards

 

If you are interested in the process of building a stained-glass window, please see below, Building A Window.

 

** Please also see my work at The American Mathematical Society website www.ams.org/mathimagery **

 

 

 

My Dragon window used by Fuji Film.
My Heart window used by Siemens.

Building a Window

 

This page contains a description of the process of building a stained-glass window. 

Please note that you can click on a photo to see a larger image.

 

Assuming you've got a design in mind for your window, you'll need to convert it to something "cuttable."  Whether a design is cuttable (or not) is largely dependent on how much experience you have and what tools you have... In the interest of conciseness we'll leave that there.  We'll assume also that you have colors in mind for your design and access to glass supplies. 

 

The first three photos below show:

(1) sheets of glass leaning precariously around a workshop; (2) a sheet of glass (previously cut up) lying on a light table, with pieces drawn on it (to be cut out); and (3) those same pieces, having been cut out, on a workbench.  The instruments to the right are grozing pliers (these chip away at a piece of glass), glass cutters, and a glass breaker (for small cuts).

(1)
(2)
(3)

Sooner or later you'll discover that all your glass pieces have been cut and shaped.  Here are two photos showing (4) the pieces with light behind them; and (5) without light.  Remember you can click on a window to see a larger image.  You might notice that the glass can look different colors depending on light.  Nice glass.

(4)
(5)

The pieces of glass are now ready to be connected together as a window.  This is accomplished by wrapping copper foil around each piece (exceptionally tedious) so that you have metal edges touching each other and can then solder the pieces together.  Below are three photos of the foiling process:

(6) Foil is wrapped around each piece of glass which is then (7) pinned into place so that it doesn't move while soldering. The silver and copper things are "rebar", placed between glass pieces to provide stability.  (8) Shows the pieces completely foiled and pinned.

(6)
(7)
(8)

Now the window is ready to be soldered. First the joints are soldered so that the pins can be removed, then solder is laid down to fill all the spaces between the glass pieces, front and back, and finally a nice "finish bead" is laid along all the solder lines and joints.  The two photos below show (9) soldering the joints; and (10) the piece completely soldered, front and back. Framing material has been attached with solder along the outside to provide stability.

(9)
(10)

The window in photo (10) has also been cleaned of flux residue, washed and dried.  Now the solder (and frame) will be stained with a dark patina and then finally, the front and back of the window will be polished.  The final two photos below show (11) the solder stain and final polish are done; and (12) the finished piece with natural light behind it.  By the way,  it's a hair follicle.  Title: Hair.

(11)
(12)



Erica Rollings Glass Works
Blairsville, Georgia, USA

 

E-mail: erica.rollings@ericarollings.net

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