I’m beginning a commission for 2 windows that will be installed into interior doors in a local church. The project came about when doors were installed to keep the choir separate from the alter, a safety measure because of COVID-19. Services are currently being held online which seems especially unfortunate since all of their historic stained glass windows were recently cleaned and repaired and they look gorgeous! I met with the committee to talk about imagery, design, and glass choices for the windows and we were in agreement about almost all the details very quickly. However, in the design, there is a section at the top which seemed to need something extra. A suggestion had been made to include a bass clef on one window and a treble clef on the other. That was a good start but didn’t feel like enough. I was walking around the church and saw this tiny section (pictured above) on an amazing, original 20 foot high stained glass window. I hadn’t noticed it before because this little area is probably only 2 inches high but it contains the dedication information and was created in a unique way. Throughout the window, black paint was used to create shadows and highlights. But here, the black paint was initially painted on the glass in a rectangle and then scratched away for the words and a little design. It was so clever, sweet, and beautiful that I suggested we use that idea as inspiration and they agreed. I feel inspired to create something really special; it’s an honor that my windows will share the sanctuary with the incredible historic stained glass that has been there for over 100 years.