I have always been magnetically drawn to folk art designs, especially with animals. Something about the crisp lines and bold colors creates such an interesting interpretation of nature. This Folk Art Bird is inspired in particular by Scandinavian art designs. In Scandinavian folk art, birds frequently symbolize freedom, happiness, and spirituality, reflecting the connection between nature and human life. They are often depicted in designs and patterns, representing faith, love, and protection. I love this sentiment and wanted to create my own version. Using transparent stained glass adds the element of light I like to call “painting with light”. The organic effect of light changes throughout the day, effecting the shade of color and the reflections it makes throughout the room.
Each piece is meticulously handmade using the traditional Tiffany copper foil method. This method is a technique in stained glass where thin copper foil is used to join pieces of glass, instead of the traditional lead came method. This method involves wrapping the edges of glass pieces with copper foil and then soldering them together. This technique allows for more intricate and delicate designs than lead came.
