I have a link to one of Greg's blogs below if you want to check out more about him as an artist!
Pat Deere
Links: Greg Perez
7/29/11
One Window Left In the Hispanic American Set
I have a link to one of Greg's blogs below if you want to check out more about him as an artist!
Pat Deere
Links: Greg Perez
6/30/11
Hispanic American Window #5
More details about the significance of items but the fields represent the many migrant workers who come to America to work in our fields and the Monarchs that migrate to Mexico are the main features of this panel.
Pat Deere
6/29/11
A look outside my window!
working late into the night
when the view outside is
so gorgeous and
constantly changing.
6/24/11
Moving Right Along on Hispanic American Window
Still to cut are the hummingbird, flower, and greenery.
One panel is complete, one is almost finished leading, another is partially leaded, and this one will be leaded soon. We have one panel that is yet to be started.
Like all glass... slowly but surely it is getting done.
Pat
6/20/11
Trillium In Crushed Glass
This posting is a little late, but I wanted to post the pictures of my trillium panel since I posted all of the photos I used as inspiration. Like the other crushed glass pieces, this was very fun to create. I am planning on using this theme for the room in my house that faces the south. I am actually making pieces that will go on the corner pieces for the window framing in that room and will follow that up with a transom or hanging panel that will go in the large window.
The top photo shows a close up of the panel prior to being installed into a beveled glass framework. I like this picture because it shows all of the detail in a very clear way.
The next one shows the glass from a horizontal view and reminds me of rock candy.
And finally, you can see how it looks when the hanging is completed. I used a series of 1" and 1.5" bevels to surround it and finished it in copper channel surrounded by rebar to keep it from warping over time and giving it a something sturdy to hang by.
Pat Deere
Links: Crushed Glass Panels
6/15/11
Hispanic American #3
Tayleen, my student from Siena Heights University in Adrian painted the the glass where needed. For the most part, I cut and constructed the panel myself.
This photo was taken with the glass against a glass easel against a wall so there is no sunlight from behind. I don't have any pictures with natural light coming through but it looks great. Can't wait to get the other 4 panels done so it can be delivered.
Most importantly, the design was created by Greg Perez and altared where needed to fit a stained glass design. A great window begins with a great design and beautiful glass. Thanks Greg for a great beginning!
Pat Deere
5/12/11
Trillium Are Not Endangered In My Woods
Just a few photos that are my inspiration for the next crushed glass panel. On Mothers Day in our woods the Trillium look like a carpet of white in some areas. I like to walk the woods then because the flowers are so abundant and the bugs are not. Give it another week and you have to wear bug spray or run faster than them... which takes away from the joy of walking in the woods. This was like a gift to us when we first moved to this property 22 years ago. I would walk the woods daily at that time and was surprised to find these wonderful little flowers everywhere on Mothers Day.
I am planning a 4 panel set for this next crushed glass project. They will be intended to be sold separately or as a set of 2, 3, or 4 panels. The goal is to fire them just enough to keep it together and let the texture show. Off to work now...
Pat Deere
5/11/11
Last Day Of Kayaking On The Pond
Ok. I am kind of excited about this panel. One of my favorite things to do, when there is no ice on the water, is to kayak. I got started years ago when we went white water rafting with a group of about 50 people (I think). On that trip I did not kayak but we went white water rafting on the Gauley and all around us people were kayaking and it looked like so much fun.
Their boats were short and meant for doing tricks and rapids and what not. Mine is a 14' boat meant for rivers and open water. Last year I rented my kayak from the Tecumseh Community Center. I got hooked. For about $20 I could use it Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and again on Monday before they opened. The photo I created this piece from was from a picture I took on my last trip in the Fall of 2010.
The top picture shows what my layered glass looked like just prior to firing. The picture below here shows the process close to the beginning. You can see the frame I use to keep the glass in place while layering. I have been using a clear layer of large glass and very small powdered glass to make it solid. From there, I layer colors and clear to get the effect I want. I love these pieces because they have a lot of dimension and you can see the layers of colors when looking at it closely.
The next set of pictures is my Mt. LeConte piece after firing. The first one was taken while back lit and the 2nd one was taken with lighting from my room, sun, and flash. I think I like the picture that is not back lit best for this panel. So, I believe I am going to try a wall mounting system for this piece with light shining on it.Because I was so focused on creating these pieces, the glass I had in my other kiln got way over fired. They were some of the glass pieces I needed for the Flint , Hispanic American window I am currently working on. Luckily it doesn't take time to recut or paint what I ruined.
Pat Deere
5/10/11
Crushed Glass: Mt. LeConte from Clingmans Dome
Kayleen, a friend of mine climbed up Mt. LeConte in Tenessee and this is the view from the top. Most of what I create comes from places I have been, but this is one created from a picture of someplace I would like to go.
And, because the picture was taken from a mobile upload, I am sure the color is nowhere near what she actually saw during her climb. Can you sense a little jealousy here?
To backtrack a little bit, I have been invited to participate in a gallery exhibit at Legacy Fine Art in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In order to do that I have to have 13 pieces of art ready and shipped by May 22nd. That doesn't give me much time. I have quite a few already done, but have to have a new piece in my kiln daily to reach my goal. Tomorrow, I hope to post a picture of this window successfully fired in the kiln! And, I will have glass crushed and ready to create another panel using this photo taken while kayaking in Tecumseh for the last time last fall.
Pat Deere
5/4/11
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to be free!
4/21/11
Time to begin again!
The Immigration window for Flint was delivered last week and we will begin on the Mexican American and Handicapped windows next week. The pattern is printed for one and the other is almost ready to go. Once those 14' windows are in progress, say goodbye to the studio as it looks today. It's just part of the process. I know that. But, I do like to enjoy it looking like this every now and then. Photos of the Immigration window will be posted soon. They are now at the window company for thermopaning before being installed!
In between working on this large installation, I have been able to provide some people with private lessons. Cannot take more than two at a time though due to lack of space. If that interests you, give me a call or send me an email!
Pat Deere
Links: Stained Glass Classes
4/11/11
Shop Blog
Ok. Honestly. It doesn't always look like this. I'm finishing the last of 5 sections of my Immigration window for Flint. That means taking everything out of my trailer and bringing it into my already crowded studio. Running my last firing in the kiln (in the bottom photo), that I can barely get to. The first photo is the full length of my work table area with glass easels to the left, empty crates to the right, boxes of lead on the floor, etc., etc., etc. The second picture is the same area from the other end. And the last one, with my kiln, is going out of my shop into my office and supply area.I'm posting this because after I deliver the windows on Wednesday, guess what? Yep. It's cleaning day. Then, onto another window!
4/7/11
Sunrise in Effrette
Some days are better than others and yesterday was not fun. So, what's an artist to do? Create something that feels good to the soul. I have been looking at these glass rods in my studio for quite a while. Do I make glass beads? Not really. I have in the past and I make them to embellish my stained glass projects but I certainly don't consider myself a glass bead maker.
So, with the transition in my studio, my tables being completely filled with my 4.5'x14' windows for my Flint project, blah blah blah blah blah... I am using up my supplies. These rods have been calling my name and yesterday was the day.
I love transition of color. And, I have been wanting to play with it using my glass rods.
My first go around I didn't have the sun in the upper left corner in place. And, I fired it a little too long. When I opened the kiln the rods flattened more than I anticipated. I wanted that rippled texture the semi fused rods would give.
Seeing that, I decided to fire it again, add more rods that would be fused at a lower temperature and I felt like it needed an element, like the sun, to give it an interesting area. I am kind of liking how it is turning out. It is still too hot to touch, although I tried (you know - too anxious). But, there is a crack that runs along the side.
I think what happened was when I turned on the kiln I thought I just turned on one ring of coils and I actually turned on 3 rings to start with. I'm quite sure it got fired to fast because it was about an hour less than my first firing. So - there is a crack. That's ok. I got to try it. I am somewhat happy with the results. Happy enough to know I want to build up my supply of rods again and try a few more times.
Got me through my hump. And nothing changes my attitude like a little sunshine!
Pat Deere
4/5/11
Brian Finished It
We are supposed to be installing the window any time. I can't wait to see what it looks like once it is installed! I will take pictures.
Pat Deere
3/24/11
Little kiss at the W.A.V.E.
WAVE: Women, Artists, Visionaries, Entrepreneurs
4th Annual Celebration of Women Festival
Saturday, March 26, 2011
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (NEW TIME!)
Franciscan Center Commons, Lourdes College
6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania, OH 43560
I will be taking my newest product, SendOutCards, to this show and am very excited about it. This is a tool that allows you to create your own cards for any purpose. I originally bought it for Christmas cards for my business, my husbands business, and to create graduation announcements for my son's upcoming high school celebration.
I have since found it to be such a wonderful product for almost anybody, that I have added it as an item I sell as well. The card you see here is a fun example of one I created as a campaign for a company at a show I recently attended. They took photos of guests walking by and sent them an email of their photo. I took it one step further and sent the picture back to them on a card... I know they are hanging on to this and not just pushing the "Delete" button when through. I know, because I talked to them.
Women, Artists, Visionaries, and Entrepreneurs. This Saturday. Should be a good show!
Pat Deere
LINKS:
W.A.V.E. Festival
SendOutCards.com/PLDeere - Send A Free Card
3/23/11
I don't count the money till it's in the bank and cleared!
I have been working with a church in Massachusetts. One of the committee members called me and was very excited. She came from a church where 4 churches were combining into one and they were trying to make the building they would be celebrating out of, reflect all of the church members. She gave me the dimensions, the budget, the fact that all of the members on the committee chose my design - actually, the design of Pamela Shapiro fabricated by my studio. They were sure this was a go ahead.
How it came to be that they called me in the first place was this: The committee had been deliberating for a long period of time over what to use for stained glass. They could not come upon a decision. So the pastor told all of the member to go out and find some stained glass that they like and bring it back to the next meeting where they would vote. Pamela's design was voted on by every member on the committee. They thought it was a done deal.
Because the church wanted to be sure all of the members were on board, especially because they were trying to bring the members of 4 churches together, they felt the need to offer them a vote which included another design. I was told, they did not expect the other design to be chosen.
But, this sometimes happens. What is the reason for it? I am not sure yet. But I have learned to be excited about new projects, but not overexcited until I have the check cashed and the money in the bank. Something else will come along, I am sure of it.
If your church is looking for inspirational glass work, you know where to call!
Pat Deere
LINK: Custom designed stained glass for churches.
3/21/11
Moving right along...
Keep up the great work Brian. I know she is going to be thrilled.
The rest of the story about this window is in my previous blogs!
Pat Deere
3/19/11
Brian's Progress
I probably should have taken another photo after this one because he has a lot more done, but I love the progress on this window Brian, my student from Vo-Tech is working on. We are trying to keep it obscure since it is an outdoor window and she wants some privacy. Right now laying on the pattern it looks a little dark, but there will be a lot going in with the light behind it. The design is coming together nicely!
Pat Deere
3/17/11
A kitchen window I created featured in Beautiful Kitchens, Spring 2009
For this window I used a clear textured glass that complimented glass in the built in cabinets with the border including a natural, stone-like glass.
The article reads, "At their best, architectural details are like intriguing people- never showy, slow to reveal themselves, and full of surprises. Take this kitchen addition to Tiffany and Mike Kapnick's 1920s-era home in Adrian, Michigan: Many of its distinguishing features are so discreet they produce a whiff of quality sensed first, processed later." Tiffany Kapnick is owner of Persnickety in Adrian. Click on the link below for more information.
Pat Deere
Links:
~Thinking about custom designed glass for your home, click HERE.
~Better Homes & Garden "Beautiful Kitchens" magazine, Cover article from Spring 2009 Edition
~Persnickety, Adrian, MI
For a good cause...
So, I asked him if he would be willing to work on this project, and he said yes. Together we looked at patterns and decided on this one. We made a few variations to fit our design. I showed Brian how to scan the image into my glass pattern program, use the auto trace command so we wouldn't have to draw a pattern from scratch. Then he was able to take the tracing, clean up the lines, and we had the pattern printed out in duplicate.
From there, we started looking at glass. They wanted the window to be obscure on the bottom and lighter on the top for privacy purposes. We used a lot of squirly shaped glass globs because they will let light in but you won't be able to see through them. Browns will be at the bottom and the further up we go, the more we will add golds and ambers. We are trying to work with the colors of her room.
So, today Brian was foiling globs and bevels, altering the pattern where needed, discussing glass selections, and cutting the duplicate pattern to get ready for tomorrow. So far so good, don't you think?
Pat Deere
Link: Interested in Custom Designed Glass? Click HERE.
2/9/11
22 New Dichroics from Bullseye
We’ve just added 22 dazzling dichroic patterns and colors to our already broad selection. The new sheets include some Crinklized Dichroic™ styles, which fuse to rough, crinkly textures that scatter light in many directions, whether exposed or capped.
I like to use Dichroic when fusing, as accents in my stained glass panels, for jewelry, etc. Check out the link below to see what options they are offering. Got a new computer and my photos are backed up... wanted to post some samples of what I have done with dichroic but I guess that will have to wait until I get a computer savvy person to help me through the hump!
Pat Deere
Links:
Bullseye Glass Company New Dichroic Offerings
1/30/11
Fishers Of Men
Pat Deere
Links: Churches and Chapels Blog
1/29/11
The Willow
I came up with a this idea a few years back for an organization that chose another way of honoring their donors. Their mistake, in my humble opinion. Most donor walls I see are very similar... brass plaques, in rows according to the size of their donation, on a wooden background - or something similar.
Because this piece is going in a theater I thought it should be more dramatic and resemble what goes on there. The body of this willow tree is dancing in the wind, the branches are her arms, and the legs are her trunk. The greenery will be pieces approximately 4-6" wide by 10-13" tall, with individual pieces of colored glass adhered to them. The background for the glass will be wood. Each 12" piece will be screwed onto the background so they can be easily changed out as donors increase their total donations.
The colors will be very dramatic as well. I will be using gold, silver, and black paint for the donors names, which will add to the variety of color. Because there is another large stained glass installation in this building, I will be taking colors from it and incorporating it into the willow. I'm starting on it Monday!
How can you get one? If you are part of an arts organization, or non-profit that is looking for a way to honor their donors... give me a call. I would love to come up with something exciting for you as well.
Pat Deere
1/28/11
An Important Email I Got From A Friend...
Dear Friends,
I have received a letter from Great Lakes Geophysical, Inc. in collaboration with the
Patrick Petroleum and West Bay Exploration companies to seek permission to cross my land in search of gas and or oil reserves via seismic testing. I assume
that the residents in my subdivision are also being approached to fill out the survey.
My home, along with the rest of the residents in the subdivision, is surrounded by
three lakes. I shutter at the consequence of this request.
The area in which I live and to a greater extent, the Irish Hills, is being drilled
for oil now. I drive down Wampler's Road and see constant flaring, 24/7, of the natural
gas the companies are not interested tapping into, at this time. The last three
words are italicized, because it is inevitable that the flaring of the untapped gas will
be of great interest, in the future.
Families already under contract for the leasing of their mineral rights are aware of
the wording that states any means of extracting gas/oil is admissible. However, at the
time of their signing, it was not common knowledge of the controversial oil/gas extraction
method called hydraulic fracturing. Fracking will be used in our area when the situation
is warranted and that will present huge environmental challenges.
With the numerous oil/gas disasters, large and small, from the Gulf of Mexico; to the
Kalamazoo River; to Napoleon Township, just miles from my home, where they are still
dealing with the contamination of many private wells from a gasoline spill that happened over
20 years ago-- the list goes on. It doesn't matter where it is, what size it is, or what contaminate
was involved, environments are direly affected. Man included.
Community dialoge must take place to better understand the risks involving all aspects of
oil/gas extraction-- from the toxic biocides used in the well bore to kill living organisms; to the
toxic chemicals and vast volumes of water used in the fracking and stimulation of the wells;
to the carcinogens emitted from flaring into the air; to the disposal of the contaminated fluids.
Adding to this needed dialogue is the use of seismic testing, to uncover the oil reserves.
Communities are becoming acutely aware of the adverse impact seismic testing has on wildlife
and the ecosystems around the testing sites.
Guidelines for seismic testing on DEC administered state land - New York- have stipulated
that 'no holes will be drilled in any road, trail picnic areas or other locations where the public
tends to congregate, nor will they be drilled in any wetland, unique natural community or area
of special concern.' http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/sfseismic.pdf
Canada's native population is embroiled in legal battles to stop seismic testing on the ocean floor
because of the stress and ultimate destruction of the marine life.
All communities will face the same issues. It doesn't matter if it involves wetland, ground or ocean,
seismic testing is affecting fragile ecosystems across the board.
What I see happening in my own back yard is a community known for its abundant natural resources
allowing oil and gas companies to transform its identity for corporate gain. Resources that make up
the land we are living on, farming on, playing on are being extracted for corporate profit.
Yes, this is capitalism. But when a community's health, quality of life and well-being could be compromised,
wouldn't it make sense to be asking the right questions before the irreversible has taken place?
Serious questions for serious times.
Pam
1/5/11
Calling all fusers and glass painters...
Once released, I found what I thought I would find, which was kiln wash stuck to the back of my glass. With a little bit of research we found one person who suggested letting it soak in vinegar for a few hours before trying to wash it off. I would thank that person if I would have kept track of who made the suggestion!
So I am thinking... I've tried a lot of things but it's worth a couple of hours wait time to see if it really works. And, it did! I still had to spend some time washing, lightly scrubbing, and rinsing until I got it all off but it was worth the effort.
This was a piece of glass that I really didn't want to spend more money or time on than I had to. Give it a try if you are in the same position and let me know how it works for you. Or, if you have another suggestion, I would be glad to post it!
Pat Deere
1/4/11
ARK - Art Rocks Kids
The fall ARK theme was “Go Green: Recycled Art.” All projects were made of reclaimed elements repurposed by the students into art. Recycled containers were made into doll-like objects; aluminum cans were cut and nailed to wood, creating ornate designs; clay was textured with found objects and adhered to old frames; and found cardboard and Styrofoam became the supports for acrylic paintings.
Enrollments are now being taken for the winter session of Art Rocks Kids art camp. The theme, “Explore Medieval Art,” includes students making their own stained glass projects with guest artist and stained glass studio owner Pat Deere. Students will also make clay dragons, drawings of imaginary castles, castles of papier-mâché, and ceramic goblets.
Classes will be held Saturdays, 9:30 A.M. to noon, January 15 - February 19, in the Mahan Center for Art and Interior Design on Williams Street. Experienced art educator Debra Irvine-Stiver will direct the program, assisted by Adrian College art education students.
Cost for the camp is $70 per student and includes all materials. The enrollment form can be found on the college website ( http://www.adrian.edu/news/11ARKwinter.pdf ). Please send a check made out to Adrian College Art Department, with the form, to Denise Hein, Office of Conferences at Adrian College, 110 S. Madison St. Adrian, MI 49221.
Fees may also be paid with a credit card by calling Denise Hein at 517-265-5161 ext. 4382. Registration fees are non-refundable. Scholarships are available for students who qualify for their school’s free lunch program.
More information may be obtained by contacting Sue Thompson at 517-474-1103 or sthompson@adrian.edu .
Pat Deere
1/3/11
My plans for the first Monday of 2011
I started out my day with an exercise routine I like using the Body Sport fitness ball. I like it. It gives me a good routine but is not hard on my body.
While exercising, I decided I am going to utilize that time by listening to inspirational, motivational, or educational material. Today, it is education. I am adding another product to my list of products and am excited about them. You can find my web site for sending cards by clicking here or on the link below.
My best routine also includes some time for prayer and/or meditation. I include a link to my Daily Reading on this web site to make it easy for me to do. I have found in the past my days always work out best when I start out in that way. Can't explain it. I just know it works for me.
Unless I am looking for something specific... Facebook and emails will only be checked once a day once my "Important" things get done. On days when I am doing things that are less than desirable for me, I find I can get lost in useless things and waste more time than I realize. Not going to happen in 2011.
Give me another half hour and I will be back in my studio, getting Nicole started on some web site work, and I will be back to painting on my Immigration Window.
Looking forward to a great year!
Pat Deere
Links: Want to find out how to send out a card for $2.99 including postage? Personalize it with your own message. Type in the address. It will be printed, posted, and sent!
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