The concept for my project was to create a lamp, or a light box out of stained glass that created shadows that resembles the shadows and light patterns that the sun creates when it shines though water. Whenever I make an art piece I am highly influenced by nature and especially the ocean. I showed my concept through this project by cutting the glass pieces in curved shapes to emulate the soft shaped shadows of water, and by using shades of blue and clear glass that were textured with a ripple looking effect.
When I first started this project, I did not know how to cut curved pieces of glass, so my original plan was to make the shadow lamp out of triangular pieces. I cut a few of these triangular pieces, soldered them together, shone a light through the pieces, and quickly realized that if I really wanted to achieve a watery looking shadow this was not the way to go. The shadows were very harsh and angular and looked nothing like what I was picturing in my head. I knew that if I wanted to achieve my watery goal, I would have to learn how to cut curved pieces of glass.
I watched many YouTube videos on how to cut the curves into the glass and began practicing. I had the right tools to do this, so it became relatively easy very quickly for me to cut curves. I drew a pattern that had many curves and reminded me of ripples in a fast-moving curvy river. I chose five pieces of stained glass that were different shades of blues, teals and clear. When I finished cutting the pieces, I soldered each of the four separate sheets.
I planned on using a genie lightbulb that connected to my phone so I would change its color and use a setting on it called nature that would create a wave effect because it started bright then faded, then went bright again in a cycle. I wired the light socket, wrapped the lamp wire in twine, and plugged it in only to find out that the light wasn’t bright or concentrated enough to show the shadow patterns of the sheet that my phone flashlight was. I bought two small LED spotlights and wired them to the same lamp socket, and when I plugged them in, they worked like magic. I am extremely proud of my end result, I really pushed myself to learn new things this term, and to rethink my project many times to get the end goal from inside of my head to right in front of my eyes.
Credits: Genie Light bulb- Patterns
The end product turned out beautiful and I love that you have a function project that will now make for a really cute decoration. Adding the spotlight LEDs was a great choice and I think the highlight of the art piece is the shadows that it creates.
Mariah, this looks absolutely incredible! I love the colors of the glass and the design you created looks amazing as well. This makes me want to learn how to make stained glass designs!
The stained glass and the colors reminds me so much of the beach and waves. Your choices of color and texture are amazing. I think you did a fantastic job!!
This looks so good! I’m so impressed with your glass working skills, this looks very professional and beautiful! I love the different textured glass and the effects they have on the shadows casted on the wall. I am definitely reminded of the beach and ocean.
I like this project because I feel like I get to experience your art in two different ways. First is the direct stained glass, which is so soothing and water-like, and looks professionally put together. Secondly is the reflection on the wall, where I can see how the light is scattered by the glass in wave patterns. I really like how you contrast the curvy wave patterns of the glass with the square, rectangle body of the lamp. Really well thought out project, and something I would love to learn or watch in person someday.