MTA Window Update & The Artistic Dilemma

The window I am designing for the Mass Transportation Authority at the Flint Bus Depot is moving forward. I met with the committee today and proposed my design. The painted samples here are similar to what I expect to use in portions of the window I am creating for the Arab American Civil Rights topic.

I believe the committee liked my design but did not feel the need for the added expense required to give it the detail I felt it needed. But... time will tell. I haven't officially heard their decision yet.

Now the artistic dilemma... do I stick to the budget or plunge forward with what will make it an awesome piece of art? My business sense tells me to stick to the budget, my artistic heart tells me to do what I think will best represent the topic and my abilities.

Pat Deere

Drawing #1 for the Arab American Window

Here's the next progression of my sketch:

ROOF DONE IN GEOMETRIC GLASS PIECES

ROW UNDER THE ROOF WILL POSSIBLY LOOK LIKE TILE WITH THE WORDS: ARAB AMERICAN INTERTWINED.

THE OUTSIDE SHAPES WILL HAVE NAMES OF IMPORTANT INDIVIDUALS DONE IN CALLIGRAPHY

THE INSIDE WILL HAVE A STATEMENT TRANSLATED INTO ARABIC CALLIGRAPHY AND SANDBLASTED INTO THE GLASS

THE WINDOW SHAPES ALONG THE BOTTOM THIRD WILL HAVE INFO RE: RELATED ORGANIZATIONS

THE WORDS “CIVIL RIGHTS” WILL LOOK LIKE TILE AND PUT INTO THE ROW BELOW THE WINDOW SHAPES.

MORE NAMES OF IMPORTANT PEOPLE WILL FILL THE BOTTOM BORDER.

THIS WILL BE A VERY DETAILED WINDOW USING HAND PAINTED GLASS, SILK SCREENED DESIGNS, MOSAIC, AND LEADED GLASS.

THE IDEA IS TO HIDE THE WORDS INTO THE DESIGN TYPICAL OF CALLIGRAPHY DESIGNS IN ARABIC ART.

THE TRICK FOR ME IS TO MAKE IT LOOK AUTHENTIC ENOUGH, BUT DONE IN A WAY THAT IT CAN BE READ BY INDIVIDUALS VISITING THE BUS DEPOT.

I NEED TO INCORPORATE A LOT OF ELABORATE DECORATIVE IDEAS AND STILL KEEP THE COST WITHIN THE BUDGET. THAT IS GOING TO BE THE HARDEST PART FOR ME.

I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE THE HELP OF SEVERAL ARAB AMERICAN FAMILIES IN THE ADRIAN AREA TO BOUNCE MY IDEAS OFF OF. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Pat Deere