New Ground for Tradition: Custom Stained Glass by Missouri Leaded Glass

What comes to mind when you think of stained glass windows?

Bettie Page as a “Hawaiian Princess” by Missouri Leaded Glass at CustomMade.com

The “Queen of Pinups” as a “Hawaiian Princess” by Missouri Leaded Glass is a concept piece where CustomMade artisan David McArthur explores non-traditional applications for stained glass.  In addition to specializing in stained glass restoration and reproduction, David finds “new and creative ways to advance the craft and artistry of stained glass” through his original and custom projects.  He writes:

Stained glass is simply more than church windows or Tiffany knock-offs, or butterflies …well, you get the idea.  Stained glass is simply another medium in art, not unlike oil painting, sculpting, ceramics, or weaving.

These completed works from the Missouri Leaded Glass CustomMade portfolio will give you an idea of David’s style and range.  His treatments large and small of traditional and non-traditional subjects are all created with expert craftsmanship.

“Dragon Fire” is another concept piece by Missouri Leaded Glass, “somewhat small in size but very detailed in execution.” CustomMade.com

"Chinese Junk" by Missouri Leaded Glass at CustomMade.com

Although family crests are traditional stained glass custom projects, this work by Missouri Leaded Glass features modern aspects and very detailed painting. CustomMade.com

Traditional subjects for churches are anything but typical in David’s hands.  This “Holy Mother” stained glass panel was commissioned to honor the customer’s late husband.

A contemporary depiction of a traditional religious subject. “Holy Mother” by Missouri Stained Glass at CustomMade.com

The “Holy Mother” is the centerpiece of three stained panels that grace the entrance of the church/school where the customer is a parishioner.

Based on Leonardo da Vinci’s celebrated work but with modern coloration and more natural expressions for the figures, “The Last Supper” stained glass panels by Missouri Leaded Glass were designed for a church/school cafeteria.

In order to incorporate hand-blown rondels within “The Last Supper” panels, elements important to the client, David worked with master carpenter Elmer Rump to create a custom-built oak frame for the various glass sections. Missouri Leaded Glass at CustomMade.com

David prepared a retrospective on the construction of the window for his clients so they could better understand the creation process behind this beautiful work.  David has also shared this document with interested readers and prospective customers as a PDF on his website, which provides fascinating insights into the piece and features numerous pics of the work in progress.

Some of the challenges faced by Missouri Leaded Glass in placing “The Last Supper” in its new home were carefully assembling all the individual glass pieces into the frame so they lined up correctly while following the curvature of the wall selected for this project and protecting the stained glass on the kitchen side of the window from moisture. CustomMade.com

Contact Missouri Leaded Glass to discuss a new custom stained glass work or restoration project for your home, business, or place of worship.