We’re all about creating an artful home through the windows, but if there’s one thing that can beat blinds or curtains at this, it has to be the art of stained glass windows. It seems to had fallen out of fashion, but thankfully, and hopefully with the help of some skilled professionals, we see it coming back again.
Back in the Autumn, the more creative of our Directors, Paul, came into the office showing off his beautiful new creation.
A work in progress and Paul’s finished piece
He’d spent the weekend in the heart of the Peak District at one of Dave Griffin‘s workshops, learning all about the art and techniques to create his own masterpiece. With a skill that complemented our visions so well, we got in touch Dave to learn more about him…
Dave is a stained glass artist based in Bakewell, Derbyshire, who specialises in producing unique stained glass panels for the home as well as for commercial and ecclesiastical settings. He started working with glass in 2001 and has completed over 400 windows to date. The philosophy behind his work is to provide people with the opportunity to realize their ideas and dreams through the medium of light and glass, and his inspiration comes from the beauty of shapes and forms found in nature.
Many commissions are inspired by the landscape and flora of the Peak District, and his natural inclination is towards more contemporary style which makes use of curves and the shapes which emerge naturally from them.
If you’re interested in having a go yourself then Dave runs introductory courses twice a year which are designed for people with little or no experience in the craft. They take place in the Friend’s Meeting House of Bakewell, and over the course of three days you get the chance to design and make a leaded panel and also get a taste of the copper foiling technique as used in Tiffany lampshades. The 2017 dates are Friday April 28th – Sunday April 30, and Friday September 22nd – Sunday September 24. The course size is limited to 5 places so everyone gets plenty of 1 to 1 tuition.
If you’d like more information and an opportunity to see panels made by students then just visit the courses page on his website.
Dave also has a commissions page on the site where you can find out how to commission your very own bespoke window.
