Time for a break from the day's activities and the continuing reworking of my studio. Today's post is a reprint from last winter in which I speak of creating a Tiffany reproduction lamp series all in the same color palette. It's still an interesting concept, but I haven't pursued it yet and probably won't anytime soon as there are a whole lots of projects with higher priority just now! I do have one of the new glass storage cabinets completed and have started the painting of the studio walls. As far as the gardens are concerned, they aren't a pleasant place to be this evening as a ferocious wind has arrived and by Thanksgiving, we'll be talking windchill at eleven degrees fahrenheit. I really should have gotten the burlap on those conifers and maples sooner... maybe we'll get a calm day in the next couple weeks... one can hope for that at any rate! i also mention that some of these photos of the dragonfly shades I've done aren't that great... I am improving though (practice, practice, practice), and I've included a more recent shot in the bottom photo of the 22" drophead in blues... all for now, Larry
I sometimes think of our youngest son as the ‘Andy Rooney’ of the family. His comments are often terse and to the point… I think this is the third time I’ve quoted him in my blog… “My dad has more ideas than years” was a remark he made a few years ago, and it’s right on! I presently have over a half dozen uncompleted projects in the woodshop, three uncompleted projects in the yard, and a huge stash of glass purposed for a dozen shades of different designs. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it certainly can catch you off guard every now and again. I recently finished some oak trims in our kitchen. It dawned on me that I had redone this kitchen and built the cabinetry some time ago, so I enlisted the aid of my wife in helping me figure just how long ago it was. I was taken aback to discover the project was started 18 years ago… ouch! (by the way, I’m still missing one piece of molding on the kitchen project and some of the cabinets could really stand rebuilding!)
While I certainly do enjoy reaching the destination, the journey is pretty neat as well. It’s not that I waste a lot of time…. I keep really busy. In fact, I heard my wife comment to someone who was frustrated with her retired husband and his incessant TV watching, “ I wish my husband would watch more TV… it would be cheaper”. It’s simply a case of having a lot of irons in the fire and having to prioritize. My work in church music ministries comes first… Sundays are on the calendar and if I’m late, there is no music on the days that I am worship leader, since I design the service. Needless to say, I’ve never allowed that to happen! In terms of more earthly pursuits, since I am retired, glass commissions and the gardens take first priority after family. I don’t like to leave anyone out on a limb… nor do weeds wait for any man. That said, woodworking is probably my lowest priority… the will is there, but just not strong enough to get me into the wood shop when the glass studio is closer!
The point of all this has to do with an idea I’ve been flirting with for a couple years. It would be a large undertaking. Imagine one room with a 14”,16”, 20”, 22”, and a 28” Tiffany reproduction set of dragonfly shades…. All in the same color palette. I even know what I want that palette to be! (I think I do have the years to do this, son)… but the problem is where it would fit in terms of priorities!
The Tiffany dragonflies were (and are) probably the studio’s best known and most beloved design. The theme allows the artisan great freedom to choose a mood that suits one’s fancy, for example, are the dragonflies flying above a dark pond in the moonlight, or does the flight take place over a sunny meadow? The designs employ jewels that add texture and brilliance to the shade and the brass filigree overlays of the wings add to a sense of realism in the creatures. It should be noted that the designs were created by Clara Driscoll. She was recognized when the Dragonfly received a major award at the 1900 Paris Exhibition. The extent to which Mrs. Driscoll was involved in the Tiffany shade designs has only come to light recently.
I have done eight dragonflies to date. My favorite is the 22” drophead in which the heads extend below the shades border. It looks great on a Tiffany reproduction perforated base. There are also a number of bronze with mosaic bases that were designed for specific dragonfly shades. Like other designs from the Tiffany Studios, a number of variations on the basic designs of the shades can be found. I’ve included pictures of some of the dragonflies I have created. I haven’t done any lately, so some of the photography is lacking, due to using a lesser quality camera than I now own.
I'm going to have to consider that "collection" some more... afterall, I do have the glass purchased for it!... until next time, Larry
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