(2020), 37" x 26", stained glass (matte transparent gold, opalescent ripple red, opalescent orange-yellow, pink-streaked white, alabaster, opalescent mottled green, opalescent blue, transparent light blue, transparent dark blue), glass paint (tracing black, bistre brown), copper foil, solder, iron rods

This is the first panel for a planned pair of stained glass windows depicting an octopus. It's also my second attempt at painting my stained glass pieces prior to assembly.

For this octopus I wanted to add some shading to the different glass colors, so I prepared a black and white sketch showing areas where the body of the animal would be darker. Once I had cut the glass pieces I covered them with a thin layer of glass paint and stippled away the highlights, leaving the shaded areas covered by the paint. Each painted piece was then kiln-fired at 1250F to settle the paint in place and fuse it with the stained glass. I then foiled, assembled and soldered the glass pieces as usual.

I'm very pleased with the 3D effect the addition of paint gave the window. The second panel will show more of the tentacles of the octopus stretching across water and strips of kelp.

https://www.deviantart.com/ellygator/art/Octopus-Window-Panel-I-850280896