Stained Glass Austin Portfolio Review: Lovely Painted Stained Glass
We are fortunate enough here at Stained Glass Austin, to be a part of one of the most proficient stained glass studios in the US–Scottish Stained Glass. This means we get to be part of some really special stained glass installations. Of course, each one comes with challenges–but at the end of the day, they are all very fulfilling. Our job is to transform more than just church windows and buildings but the lives of the congregants as well. One example of this is our most recent installation (and now the pride of our portfolio) St. Andrew The Apostle Catholic Church located in Wray, CO.
The Scope of Our Custom Stained Glass Project
Wray isn’t a very big town but this stained glass installation sure way! Our hand-painted stained glass windows were created and installed this summer using all the safety protocols for safety during a pandemic. Since this is a newer church (built in the last 30 years) St. Andrew’s did not have stained glass windows in the sanctuary already. It turned out 2020 was the time and the congregation, which had felt like this type of artwork would make their place of worship feel more like a house of God, were ready for use to do our craft. They reached out to us to install five new, custom stained glass windows on the east side of their sanctuary. We were happy to help and thrilled at such an exciting chance to do custom stained glass work–which we excel at.
Customizing Stained Glass to Be Historically Accurate and Beautiful
The church congregation wanted us to create a depiction of the five Luminous Mysteries (baptism, wedding, proclamation, transfiguration, and last supper). These depictions were highly significant to them and their beliefs. For a job this unique and sentimental, custom artwork was an option we pitched to them and they absolutely loved it! Not only is painted glass a very unique form of stained glass work but we work with an amazing painted glass specialist–Maria. This project was one for us to put her coveted skills to use. We wanted things to look as life-like as possible so we used actual models to get the poses right. We also did extensive research for historical accuracy like:
- The Appropriate background and foliage for the region
- Authentic tile design for floors in that time-period
- A historically accurate depiction of the town of Cana
The Beauty of Custom Painted Stained Glass
The outcome of our custom, five-panel stained glass project in St. Andrew The Apostle Catholic Church was in a word–Lovely. Although we primarily black and brown paint we were able to really pull hints of color from the glass background. We also constructed the stained glass to harness natural sunlight. This created depth in things like the faces, hands, fauna, and flora. The result was an extremely three-dimensional appearance– that was both authentic but stunning. All in all, the members of the congregation (who watched socially distanced) were stunned by the beauty of the entire process. One member even said, “Now we have a church”. It is this the type of affirmation and the pride that makes us love our work in custom stained glass creation.
For more information on custom stained glass or breathing life into an old piece of stained glass with restoration–contact us at Stained Glass Austin today!
