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Recently, I completed The Tree, a 5'x5' stained glass window for clients
Russ and Gail Agard of Hamden, Ohio.
From the beginning, this window proved challenging. I first had to build a
workspace big enough to support the window throughout the construction process. Due
to the size of the window, steel rods were used to strengthen the piece and were
carefully incorporated into the design as part of the tree trunk.
Over two hundred individual pieces of glass were used, including pale blue antique
glass for the sky and background. This was Gayle's idea to insure that there would
always be a blue sky when anyone looked out the window. The streaky brown-granite
glass gives a realistic and textured look to the tree bark. Look carefully to see
the woodpecker in the center of the tree trunk. The leaves match the room color
perfectly, and the stunning oak frame was made by Russ in his basement workshop.
Delivering the window presented yet another challenge. To keep the piece stable, it
would need to remain vertical at all times. Friends suggested using a horse trailer
to transport the piece, and Harold and Cathy Lamprecht of Middlefield, Ohio, volunteered
the use of one of their trailers.
Four people were required to carry the window into the house. Two volunteers on a
scaffolding installed the window several feet above the fireplace mantle. Although
the window took over two months to complete, the installation went quickly, taking
only about an hour.
What is truly unique about this window is the illusion that the stained glass tree
is part of the small forest behind the Agard's home. In the works are two smaller
windows to accompany the larger piece. These smaller versions continue the "forest"
with additional stained glass "tree tops".
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