STAIN GLASS PAINTINGS

A stain glass painting, if properly done can be a connoisseur's delight.

Stain glass painting is a contemporary form of art, which has evolved and gained prominence only in the recent past.  Stain glass painting basically involves painting on tinted glass by using special paints known as Stain Glass Paints.  It is really amazing what this form of art can do a plain piece of lifeless glass. It's effects can be amplified if placed under proper lighting.

Ruchira Saraf who has been in Chennai for over 17 years hails from Delhi.  She said that it was her daughter who got her hooked on to stain glass painting.  "I came to Chennai after my marriage. Some time back when my daughter Anushree joined the Fine arts group in her school, she came in contact with this art and this really intrigued me.  Stain Glass as a medium of art allows tremendous freedom to express oneself; creativity is limited only to one's imagination".

But was stain glass painting her first foray into fine arts.  "No, I have always been into painting since an early age". Usually stain glass is made with lead paints, by wiring broken glass together or by using the wiring technique.  We use the wiring technique as it gives both a definite shape and feel to the stain glass".

What does it take to excel at stain glass painting? "Well it takes a lot of patience.  We make showpieces, coasters, napkin holders and wall hangings. These items, which are created with a magic combination of glass and light are worth possessing".

Traditionally, glass painting referred to painting on the surface of a sheet of glass, which was included to fill the gap in the stained glass work. This kind of painting, which is actually closer to drawing than painting, was done to add details such as faces and folds of clothing that couldn't be added with traditional lead lines.  It was also used to cover up portions of stained glass works so that light was kept from shining through.  In most cases, the glass paints used for stained glass painting are predominately browns and grey-blacks. The colours tend to be water or gum Arabic based, and can be applied with a brush in a method similar to the way watercolours are applied. The paints are mostly fired onto the glass using a kiln. The heat of the kiln causes them to bond permanently with the glass.

Saraf is not only into stain glass, but also into what she calls 'Designer Gift Items' -from designer cutlery and dinner sets to gift boxes to ceramic doorknobs, she has a whole range of gift items to offer.  While she does some of the items herself, the designer cutlery is mostly done by her sister-in-law.  "I do the marketing for her. These gift boxes made out of pinewood and leather are a perfect corporate gift and they can be filled with dry fruits and things like that.  The designer cutlery is made of white metal while the designer sets are available in various colour schemes", says Saraf.

For more details Ruchira Saraf can be contacted at 825 5010 / 179 or on her mobile 98400 40976.
E-mail: anushreesaraf@hotmail.com

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