Bedroom Panels

This commission was for a boy's bedroom in an old building which has been completely refurbished while keeping as much of the original as possible.

The brief was to provide a lighting feature that would form part of the partition between the bedroom and the bathroom.  It needed to reflect sporting life, especially including tennis and football.  Other than that, we were given freedom to choose colours and specific figures, once the design concept was agreed.

This is the set of five panels installed over an almost 5 metre span.  The design was a collaboration between Dorte Pape and me.  It consists of football players, cyclists, swimmers, runners, tennis players and gymnasts.  The forms and shapes they make while playing are graphically represented.  We were pleased to note the blue of the glass was complimentary with the blue chosen for the walls.

This view from the window shows how the LED lighting throws colour onto the ceiling adding a third colour to the scheme of the room.

The figures are sandblasted onto both sides of the fused glass panels.  This gives some depth and variation in appearance depending on which side the light shines.  These panels show gymnasts, tennis players, runners and some swimmers.

These panels show more of the swimmers, cyclists and footballers.  Both these bathroom side panels show the different effect of where the light falls as to which side is emphasised.

Verrier

Verrier specialises in the design and making of architectural and decorative glass for domestic, and commercial settings. Leaded and kiln formed techniques are used to provide windows, wall hangings and decorative features.

Verrier uses the traditional values of high quality craftsmanship, attention to detail and fitting the work to the requirements of the client. It is preferred to visit the site to ensure the glass is suitable for the situation. Clients are also encouraged to visit the studio to confirm the work practices and ability of Verrier to meet their requirements.

Restoration of existing windows is done to high standards whether for simple or historically important windows. Verrier has worked with the Glasgow City Heritage Trust on several projects and with various architects and builders on larger projects.

Verrier also conducts weekend workshops and some evening classes, as well as supplying glass and tools to other workers and enthusiasts.

Verrier is run by Stephen Richard who has had art training at the University of Kansas and Glasgow Metropolitan, and in master classes with Paul San Casciani and Klaus Moje. He is involved with various professional bodies: Past Chairman of the Scottish Glass Society, Past Chairman of the International Guild of Glass Artists (currently on the advisory board), Past Chair of craftscotland, member of British Society of Master Glass Painters, and the Contemporary Glass Society. He established Architectural Glass Artists in 1998, which has grown into the largest collaborative glass studio in Scotland.

More information is available in my cv (link at the top of the page) which links to various projects.
You can also contact Verrier:

email at stephen.richard43@gmail.com

telephone at 0141 556 5700

mobile 0771 883 1117

or drop into the studio:

Studio 8 WASPS Studios, 77 Hanson Street, Glasgow G31 2HF

Ship

After a long absence from the blog, I return. It is not that I have been doing nothing, just that there is lots to do in the rest of my life too. Family changes, new caravan, visiting other studios during the Spring Fling, etc.

But things have been happening in the studio too. Last winter I was asked to consider doing a ship for a person who has recently celebrated his 80th birthday. He was part of the RNVR just at the beginning of the Second World War. Both he and his wife felt a sailing ship would be a suitable piece for their house.

Of course he did not go to war in a ship like this, but felt this kind of ship gives a notion of the freedom within the constraints of the sea that you can get in any vessel.


This was completed with deep sand carving, area etching and shading. It is fixed to a mahogany base and will be screwed to the sill.

Public installations 2

There has been a gap in my postings as several events have occurred. First my niece had a big wedding at which I got to wear a complete highland outfit, using the Flower of Scotland tartan. Next day was my birthday, so our side of the wedding party came to the house - hungover or not - and we had food and drinks. Third and I am sure it was nothing to do with all this, I got flu and spent several days in bed. Those are my excuses and I'm sticking to it.

To continue with some of the public installations I have designed.

The Scottish Football Association constructed a new stand round Hampden Park, the national football (soccer for the USA people). I was asked to design and install a ceiling for the reception offices of the SFA. Below are some pictures of it. Although I had asked for and was assured that a 1 metre high light box would be constructed, it in the end was only 300mm high. This means the light is not diffused as well as it should be, leading to a stripey effect.

The first photo shows the piece as installed on Christmas eve minus one day. Only the last panel remains to be installed. The lighting has no chance to diffuse round the whole of the installation.

This second photo shows the ceiling as it exists today. Extra lighting was put in place, but still the striped effect is visible. Still, I am happy with the images of the shapes made by footballers in action. I did sneak in one female footballer.

SFA Offices. Fused glass in steel frame 4m x 3m

Earlier that year I finished another ceiling panel. This time it was a skylight. It is installed in Miller's Bistro, North Berwick. The theme relates to the hills and rocks around the area, and to the sea and the birds of the area.

Miller's Bistro upon completion, daylight. Fused glass and steel frame, 3m square

Another restaurant installation is at Rococo, an excellent Glasgow restaurant. This is based on Australian Aboriginal sand paintings. It is set out 100mm from the wall on bolts with copper spacers and illuminated with overhead spotlights.

Dream Time 1. Fused glass applied to sandblasted safety sheet glass, 1500mm x 800mm