Where Eagles Fly

These windows are installed in St Bonaventure in Bloomington, MN adjacent to the church entry and the community gathering commons area, facing east. Originally inspired by the sunrise through the trees (and the Canticle of the Sun), the concept evolved to include the deeper colors of the Aurora Borealis which graces the northern landscapes as the midnight sun.
In loving memory of Ernie and Cathy Taylor.

Where Eagles Fly
With trees reaching to tough the night sky as the sun rises and light of day begins to dawn in the east, the sky turns from yellow, orange, and pink to deep blue and a touch of purple. The abstract mosaic of lead lines flow through the sky as if the tree branches are raising their winter silhouettes. the three pine trees ground the horizon line while a pair of eagles fly high in the morning light, symbolizing the spirit of St. Francis. 14 bevels sprinkled throughout the sky represent the 14 stations of the cross.
Upper 3 panels: 32" x19"
Lower 3 panels: 44" x19"

I have been creating leaded glass panels since 2003, and this is my first installation in a church. The client wanted windows
Originally inspired by the sunrise through the trees (and the Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi), the concept evolved to include the deeper colors of the Aurora Borealis which graces northern nights as the midnight sun.
My artwork process is about the overall composition of the glass in terms of color, shape, structure, and composition as it relates to the inspiration image and a very loose sketch. I work by laying out the main structural or design elements, without patterns. Here those elements are the vertical trees, the pines, the 3 crosses, as well as large swaths of color for the aurora, and finishing with the bevels sprinkled throughout the sky which represent the 14 stations of the cross.