Pictures from four decades of staind glass crafting:
#1 The 80's...Electric Mansions, Electric Avenue, Brixton London... My first workroom, after the kitchen table ceased being an option. Operating as "Breakthrough Glass."
#2 The 90"s working out of the famous Colt Building, Hartford, Connecticut, as "Kinetic Cut Glass."
#3 Early 2000's, Readsboro, Vermont, as "The Luministic Moose," as featured in "A Bear's Life" magazine.
#4 Most recently, Waitsfield Vermont, as "The Luminous Moose."
My Story...
Artist Statement
Since the early 80's, stained glass has played a part as my muse and mentor, mediating the dialogue between my inner self and the outer world.
From the point of inspiration, through the act of putting pencil to paper, and on into the vision of adapting colors and textures into the craft of rendering, shaping and assembling, my stained glass works can range from flights of fanciful whimsy as an expression of the moment, to an esoteric essay of one's place on this mortal coil.
Having escaped from the confines of historical tradition, while still being bound by the innate laws of the same materials used throughout history, each window, lamp, terrarium, chime or mobile, is visual poetry, a sonnet, a meditation, shining through its own luminous self.
Stained glass is known as the art that requires the patience of a saint, and sometimes the vocabulary of a sailor... You cannot demand of glass, you can only invite it for a dance and permit it to lead when it chooses.
Commissions are inherently exciting. The art of incorporating the ideas, thoughts and wishes of the client into a design concept, and then blending this inspiration with the themes, colors and ambience of the ultimate destination, and finally distilling these seeds into the artful creation of the piece, gives my pencil a point to land on the paper. From then on, the drawing takes on a life of its own, and the dance between the artist and the art begins.
Non-commissioned pieces range from windows I create out of their relevance to me, usually inspired by a famous work; to smaller items, such as my Friendship Compass Star designs---precision cut for identical shapes in a multitude of colors; all is window jewelry.
Since the early 80's, stained glass has played a part as my muse and mentor, mediating the dialogue between my inner self and the outer world.
From the point of inspiration, through the act of putting pencil to paper, and on into the vision of adapting colors and textures into the craft of rendering, shaping and assembling, my stained glass works can range from flights of fanciful whimsy as an expression of the moment, to an esoteric essay of one's place on this mortal coil.
Having escaped from the confines of historical tradition, while still being bound by the innate laws of the same materials used throughout history, each window, lamp, terrarium, chime or mobile, is visual poetry, a sonnet, a meditation, shining through its own luminous self.
Stained glass is known as the art that requires the patience of a saint, and sometimes the vocabulary of a sailor... You cannot demand of glass, you can only invite it for a dance and permit it to lead when it chooses.
Commissions are inherently exciting. The art of incorporating the ideas, thoughts and wishes of the client into a design concept, and then blending this inspiration with the themes, colors and ambience of the ultimate destination, and finally distilling these seeds into the artful creation of the piece, gives my pencil a point to land on the paper. From then on, the drawing takes on a life of its own, and the dance between the artist and the art begins.
Non-commissioned pieces range from windows I create out of their relevance to me, usually inspired by a famous work; to smaller items, such as my Friendship Compass Star designs---precision cut for identical shapes in a multitude of colors; all is window jewelry.
Reviews and publishings
.jpg "Interview in \"A Bear's Life\" magazine")
article in "A Bear's Life" magazine
Click on the images to the left in order to enlarge the magazine article, and see one of my windows featured on the Vermont Arts Council Open Studio flyer.
"tripoart" blogs
Follow these links to blogs by Tripoart to get even more insight into the workings of the Moose... this first blog has a bit more of my personal history...From Texas to London via California, then on to Connecticut and Vermont...
https://tripoart.com/perspectives-by-andy-obrien/
This second blog is a goosebumps, hairraising retelling of some amazing synchronicity involved in the making of the window "Pi"...
https://tripoart.com/Pi-by-andy-obrien/
What my Clients Say
“It was remarkable how strongly Andy’s design of the Compass/Friendship Star resonated with my wife and I as a perfect way for us to celebrate our own wedding anniversary. We appreciate the fine craftsmanship of the two stars that catch light streaming into our living room and also how Andy imbued each with the spirit and sentiment that both represent. Thanks Andy.” JK, So. Starksboro
"So happy to own one of your beautiful (Vermont) pieces."Nancy M., Florida
"I am a recent lucky recipient of a Friendship Star, and I would like to order two of them as gifts for old friends back in England... Susan, Georgia
"Andy's glass work reflects his personality-calm, creative, accurte and vibrant. I moved from Vermont... and since then have acquired numerous "Friendship Compass Stars" from the Moose, as I want to share a little piece of Vermont with my new friends here in Alaska and with friends and family throughout the country. Andy designs these in all colors and type of glass... and are perfect to add a little beauty into someone's life. Thank you Andy"
Stephanie K. Anchorage, Alaska