I live in Possibilities

Emily Dickinson wrote this as part of her poem by the same name. "I live in Possibilities". This seems hopeful to me. Each day brings some kind of possibility. I believe in finding and using them to create a life of joy and creativity. 

                                                                         Emily Dickinson

Benjamin Franklin talked about being Healthy, Wealthy and Wise. He was talking about early to bed and early to rise but these are the positive end results of many good habits.

                                                                              Benjamin Franklin

Lets start with Healthy. I didn't realize when I began building windows that there sere health related benefits.  course you need to be safe around lead, glass dust and chemical of any kind so it's important to care for your physical health. I am talking today about mental emotional health. Here are 4 things I've noticed about stained glass making and teaching. 

1. Color therapy is real. Colors effect our mood ad attitude. I can actually tell on a student's face when they have found the perfect color for a window. They even say things like "This color makes me happy " or " I can't help smiling when I see this color".  It's possible to learn something about yourself just by paying attention to what colors move you. Don't be surprised if your signature colors change with your circumstances and moods.

This is really a sheet of our glass.

2, Getting in the zone really happens. Working meditation is like sitting or walking meditation in that you are allowing your breath to move you. Some meditations are still and some are active. Foiling, grinding, soldering and cleaning on your window are all movements to a beautiful end. Just like Tai Chi, swimming, strolling, yoga or lifting, there is relaxation in the process of the exercise. One time I was in a painting class and was so engrossed in my work I didn't hear my teacher offer me drink of water or inquire about my progress. I didn't mean to be rude,I just was in the zone. It happens in every class. The room gets quiet and the sounds of creativity envelope the room.

3. We are social animals. Usually a class consists of 2 to 5 students,There are silent times like I mentioned before and there are times when we are talking, laughing and enjoying ourselves. It's fun to take a class together and share the experience. There is the possibility of meeting new friends and rekindling old acquaintances. 

4. Breaking glass isn't always a bad thing. It can be a therapeutic activity to  break some glass on purpose. As we spend time in the kitchen, the sound of breaking glass makes us panic. But in the glass studio it's our modus operandi. It is controlled chaos in a way. Then step by step a new project is born from the broken pieces. There is accomplishment in the process. 

This is Lynde taking a hammer to a sheet of glass that couldn't be used. We had some fun breaking this one.

I hope I have sparked an interest in the benefits of stained glass. Whether your build your own window or have me do it for you, it is amazing to stand in the glow if the glass. 

Until next time, Invite the light and spread your joy to those who need the reflection of your radiance. We're all in this together. 

Steady as She Goes, How to have smooth solder lines

All stained glass enthusiasts strive for that perfect solder line. It really isn't as illusive as you might think. Even someone with a far from steady hand can be proud of their work.
Here are four helpful hints to a line of solder that is smooth as silk. Some of my students think it flows like mercury. Not that any of us have every played with mercury as kids. Heaven forbid.

1. Take your time. Many students are in a hurry so the solder doesn’t have time to melt. Holding the soldering iron like a pencil is acceptable in this application. If I see you holding a glass cutter like a pencil, beware my wrath. Don't worry, I'm not scary. Slowing down the soldering  gives you more control and puts you in the zone. There may be music and talking around you but you will be enjoying the Zen of the process. Slow and steady wins the race.

2. Bridge across the line with your solder. You may be tempted to run the solder along your line but give yourself some experience time before pushing your limits. Touch the solder, iron and glass at the same time. Dropping the solder onto the glass will not a smooth line make. Pretend you are stitching the line instead of drawing it.  Remember you are melting  not painting . This is easier to show than tell so please refer to the video.  If you have bumps or gaps, touch and pull up to remelt the solder into the gentle mound.

3. If you are using a rheostat, turn the heat down if you are having trouble which may help your solder line flow more smoothly. This is especially helpful when you are doing small pieces like charms or 3D work. You can also cool your iron by wiping the tip off on the water soaked sponge on your stand.

4. Don’t forget your flux! If your line is extra bumpy and not co-operating one bit, make sure you have brushed your copper foil with the flux. Be careful though, you don’t want to over do the flux because it may cause popping. The popping can also be caused by air bubbles caught between the copper foil and the solder.  Be sure to clean the soldering tip on your sponge to keep it clean of ash.

I hope these tips will help you enjoy your time soldering. It might even become your favorite part.
For a visual example refer to our video link below.
                         https://youtu.be/aQAcSzAsT2s

Learn from Each Other

Successful artists learn from each other. We study each other's work and feed on each other's enthusiasm.
Recently I helped hang an art show for the Utah County Art Board at the Health and Justice Building in Provo, UT. While enjoying the beautiful art I was hanging I also visited with some of my artist friends.
By asking a few questions I began to understand the climb, defining moments and strength that each of them needed to prevail in the art world. The guidance and inspiration form these artists that I call friends helps me figure out how to forge the creator's path. It's not too late to try new ways and discover why you do what you do. Role models bless our lives and our careers.

Marilyn and Bill Brown

     "Marilyn is my inspiration" says Bill as Marilyn smiles in her petite and demure way. This delightful couple lives in Hobble Creek Canyon and gleans creative muse from the beauty surrounding their home. Marilyn reads about western artists to find her own voice in her paintings. Her advise to aspiring artists is "Keep painting. If you don't like how it's turning out, paint over it and start again." When it comes to naming a painting the location comes in to play. Sometimes a name comes first and the painting follows. When asked about their favorite quotes, these were mentioned. The Glass is half full and An Elephant can be eaten one bite at a time. Creighton Abrams

Winter Water by Marilyn Brown

Old Man and The Sea by Bill Brown

Jolynn Forman

     The reason Jolynn loves being an artist is the freedom it provides. There is also a social camaraderie where artists become friends. Our work is different but the same. Some favorite inspiration comes from Richard Schmidt , Daniel Keys and Alla Prima. 

     Her advise to artists is "Expect to take time at your craft. Develop a style. Don't expect to get rich quick. At times it can be lonely." Her go to quote is Every child is an artist. The trouble is how to remain one as he grows up. Pablo Picasso 

The Walk Home by Jolynn Forman

Marilyn Hayes

     Being an artist teaches me how to see the world in small ways that most people don't even notice. She learns to love the land around her. Being outdoors is the perfect way to be inspired. She names her paintings by the location or the feeling it evokes. Her inspiration comes from the Lord. He makes the beauty she paints. 

Linda Paulsen

     The thrill of creation is the ability to see things differently. Linda is inspired by the Supreme Creator. Her artist library consists of children's books and collections of classical artists such as Monet, Renoir and Matisse. 

   Her advise to budding artists is "Don't give up. Sometimes you have to go back to basics to find your own voice. You are not the same as other artists. You are you. Learn from others but be true to your own style."

     Linda is also a writer and a poet She has a passion for words. Finding the right title for a painting is part of the joy. It is the final touch even though sometimes the title comes first.  You want the viewer to connect with the painting and not be left out so the title is an important component. Her favorite quote is "Beauty is not optional" Terry Tempest Williams.

Finding Gold by Linda Paulsen

     Speaking with these lovely artists reinforces my resolve to continue creating. I hope it had sparked a fame for you too. 

If you are in Provo be sure to visit the show and look for my glass mosaics. All works of art in the exhibit are for sale. I might see you there. 

Begin Again

January is my favorite month. It's a time to begin again. With an intention for a fantastic year let's get those brand new calendars and planners out that we got for Christmas, some colorful pencils and get excited.
As an artist you need to plan the year now. You may not know all the fairs and shows coming up but the ones you do know need to be in your calendar.
Here are 5 tips to begin an awesome year of making and selling your art.
     1. Find fun shows you would like to participate in. I live in Provo, UT. I'm going to look at shows near me first. For instance, The Art Stroll happens every first Friday in downtown Provo, Lots of businesses look for artists to show work on their walls. Here are a few places to check out.
* Writ and Vision
* Pioneer Book
*Covey Center for the Arts
* Provo Library
You may have an Art Stroll or something similar in your town.

     2. Join Organizations such as Utah County Art Board or Utah Valley Artist Guild. These groups host shows and would love to help you get into a show. There are groups in every state.

     3. Organize your inventory. If you know you need 2 pieces for a show in January, 2 in February and 5 in March you have some work to do. Calendar these events and plan your artwork accordingly. It won't be fun if you are hurrying to get work done ant the last minute.

     4. Apply to shows outside your immediate neighborhood. I know it's a little scary but well worth the effort. You never know when a gallery owner will see your work and want to represent you. Check online for local shows. Use sites like  these. 
* CaFE'
*ZAPPPlication
*The Art Guide
* Artist Trust

     5. Don't overextended. Save time to enjoy going to shows just o see other artist's work. Keep your studio time sacred and get a good planner.
 Enjoy your  year of making and selling your art.

Patterns Everywhere

You can't open your eyes without seeing patterns. As a matter of fact I see them when my eyes are closed too. They are everywhere. I smile when I hear an interviewer ask where an artists' ideas come from. How can you pin that down? Ideas are floating around our heads a mile a minute. It's settling on one that's the tricky part. I think our job is to be amazed. When we are amazed at our surroundings we find the art in the moment. While writing "Mandalas for Meditation", a book of patterns and essays , I paid attention to the circles, squares and curves of meaningful things. Just bringing together a few of these mandalas was a labor of love. Here are just a few of the windows I built for the pages of this book.

It was inevitable that "Mandalas for Success" would follow. I thought of how entrepreneurs became so connected with their logo and their brand. This is not only to encourage revenue but also to relate to the core of the business they were beginning. Not only is this relevant to businesses but also to everyday life. A mandala is like a vision board. Symbols are collected to articulate the feeling and purpose behind the brand or the intention. The feelings of your heart can come out in the lines and curves of the design. Here is a peek of some mandalas inside "Mandalas for Success".

I would be thrilled to help you design a window for your home or business. There is meaning and function to the glass art you choose.

You can order these books and also videos by clicking this link. 

 

No More Brick Walls

What do you see when you look out your window? Some folks sadly only see a brick wall, What is even worse is if your view is your neighbors bathroom. I have a solution! Beautiful and elegant Stained Glass, You can have beauty and privacy.
How many windows are in your home? Go ahead and count, I'll wait. ... I counted mine while you were gone. We have 11.

The average house has 8. Did you know that the White House has 147?

Buckingham Palace has 760.

The Empire State Building has 6,500.

Burj Khabfa in Dubai has 34,348.

Our friend and Historic Illustrator and painter, Lynde Mott, said  " My home has 44 windows and every one deserves stained glass." Lynde has come to the studio for classes and also had hired us to make some beautiful windows for her home.

I am here to tell you that your home deserves stained glass too. I would love to show you how to make that happen.
There are a few ways to have a free consultation.
1. give us a call at our studio 801-344-0178
2. check out our website gsg-art.com for ideas
3. email us at david.gsglass@gmail.com
4. follow us on Facebook, Instagram or subscribe to our YouTube channel to leave a DM or comment.
5. We're putting up a guide to "Design The Window Of Your Dreams" (Ready in a week) click here to get it

Your dream window is only a consultation away.

Looking Back On 2018

Looking back on 2018 brought to mind the beautiful windows we built this past year. We built 91 windows, and with a few weeks left in the year, we may hit 100! I  have some favorites to share with you. Do you remember the months of cutting hundreds of little pink cherry blossoms? I certainly do. Every one of the four windows were more beautiful than the one before.

Then there were 6 Season windows. Summer and Winter had a double scene. The rotunda where they are displayed is a huge room where they don't look quite as big as they did on the work table.

I had such a great time arranging the glass for the mosaic we named "Argo". It was named after the ship in "Jason and the Argonauts."

What good fortune it was to work on the window "Nasturtiums in the Rain". The green modeled glass was perfectly suited for the leaves. It added an organic feel.

The Poppy window was designed  by the talented illustrator, Lynde Mott. We had the best time working on it together.

The design of the "Tree of Life" was so popular that we were able to build 4 different but similar designs.

It was a thrill to have two pieces in the Springville Art Museum. The "Tree of Life" window was accepted in the Roots and Branches show and "Feast upon the Word" was displayed in the Spiritual and Religious show.

To top off the year, the "Nativity" window was built. I especially like the way Joseph has his arm in a protective manner on Mary and the Holy mother is touching baby Jesus in the same loving manner.

We are finishing the year strong and are already gearing up for a profitable and meaningful 2019. We plan on a year of wonderful experiences including our clients and students. I hope to meet many of our followers this next year.

Asking the Right Questions

There are times when asking the right question helps to find the answers we seek about ourselves. Whether  we are working on a business, a family or on ourselves, it would help to consider the answers to these questions.

1. Am I enthusiastic about this day? It may take some effort to to find something to look forward to on a difficult morning but it's worth it. How about looking for someone to serve? What can I create? How can I make the world a little bit better?

2. What did I get right yesterday? How do I need to step up? How have I improved from last year? It's like leaving a picnic site cleaner than you found it or a tool cleaner than when you borrowed it. Yesterday can be our teacher. Learn from mistakes and make today better.

3. What am I procrastinating about? What's holding me back? What distractions have I allowed to keep me from my real work?

4. Am I taking care of myself? Do I set aside time for brisk walks, rest, healthy eating and regular check-ups?

5. Do I hang out with positive people? We can't choose our family but we can arrange to be around friends and associates who are uplifting and positive.

6. What am I grateful for? It is a good feeling to realize the many good things around us. I have a friend who has a great activity when she is feeling like she has to hunt through the couch cushions for change at the end of the month. She goes around her studio touching each thing with gratitude. By the time she is finished the thankful feeling has overtaken the fear of scarcity.

7. What new things am I learning? Learning something new helps me feel more alive. There are so many ways to stretch our brain even if that means failing at things sometimes. New things are usually hard at first but get easier as we practice.

After asking these questions we may find out some important things about ourselves.  They may even help us find the reason for being.

More Than a Side Hustle

I recently asked myself the hard question. Is my business for real or is it just a side hustle? To help me answer myself I enrolled in the class Starting and growing my Business for Self Reliance. It is a sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and LDS business College.

We learned business skills, principles, and habits that would promote success in our endeavors. Some of these skills include:
1. assess goals weekly by charting commitments and checking in with an action partner
2. Keep a business journal of successes and challenges to evaluate progress.
3. Exercise faith and step outside your comfort zone.
4. Identify customers needs and meet them with unique awareness.
5. Get specific about income and expenses
6. Finding and keeping customers.
7. Improving myself and my business skills.

Not only were we learning but we were helping each other. Someone else's story sometimes sparked enthusiasm for our own ideas. The brainstorming was beneficial to all of us. I learned that personal and business progress is of continuing importance but we don't have to do it alone.
At the end of the course I was able to re-commit to being a stained glass teacher and builder. I can do this. I can and will be successful because there are systems in place, positive habits to form and dreams to bring to reality. It's a committed effort with responsibility that is worth the hard work if each day we are fired up about our dream. It was a fun perk to have a stained glass artist on the cover of the class manual. I'm sure the question will arise again some day but I will be ready. There is a love/hate relationship with art because it comes from within. As Earnest Hemingway said about writing, "You just lean over your typewriter and bleed. "