TO ALL WHO HAVE SUPPORTED OUR ART- OUR THANKS
It is with great sadness, that after many years of working with glass and creating, and waiting over 8 years years for a resolution to our property damaged in 2012 by flooding, I have put down the glass cutter.
The loss of my work studio, as a result of sewerage inundation in 2010 and flooding again in 2012 requiring us to evacuate and relocate on both occasions and since 2012 renting at own expense, we have had little or no option given the limitations. Continuing leadlight construction is difficult if due to limited space and loss of studio. The 2012 flooding disrupted my leadlight work resulting in suspension of all artistic pursuits including leadlight construction for what was envisaged to be a short period of time but which extended from months into years. It is now a decade since the 2010 disruption. ( October 2010).
While Les is still producing a few artworks, due to various limitations including the recent pandemic, and us still waiting indefinitely for certain Local and State Government Departments given tardiness in finalising their Voluntary Purchase Scheme in the township of Lockhart, lack of attention to our requests to expedite, our lives along with many of our prior activities our goals having flown out the window, seemingly indefinitely and still no time frame.
Our property still remains in a state of disrepair. ( The VPS - reclamation and demolition being determined as a result of independent tax payer funded studies conducted in 2013 and 2014 relative to our property being situated in a HIGH RISK area, along with recommendations and a priority list compiled but still no action.
To each and every one of you, we extend our thanks and appreciation, and send all good wishes. Stay Safe !
Sidelights surrounding the front door of our home , created in 1992 prior to 2010 event, and which were rescued because of house subsidence and movement to prevent further cracking and now in storage together with other possessions still waiting to find a new home.
LANDSCAPE SERIES : A SUNBURNT COUNTRY
The following five artworks are part of the new 2018 series which reflect the brilliant and vibrant colours of our outback Australian landscape. All works are copyrighted by the artist.
All works are for sale. POA .They are acrylic on fixed stretched canvas over rigid board.
'Palm Valley- Off the Finke River Central Australia "
Acrylic: 500x500mm approx
" Loneliness" - 420 x 460mm approx : Fixed Watercolour
"Parachilner Gorge" Flinders Ranges SA
500x500mm Approx. Acrylic
" Quartz Rock' - Hartz Ranges Central Australia:
500x500 mm approx. Acrylic
" Reflections" - Billabong NSW :
400 x 600 approx: Acrylic
Following the successful exhibition held at the beautiful Gallery 294 in Honour Ave Corowa, and presenting to gallery members and associates art lessons at the gallery into the technical aspects of fine art in the traditional sense, Les is now creating a new series named :
"MAGIC SKIES. " The subject involves Australian Landscapes based upon on this theme.
The following three works completed recently and more to follow.
Magic Skies: Over Ocean ( 60 x 50cm approx.).
Magic Skies: Over River (60 x 40 cm approx.)
Magic Skies: God's Country (60 x 70 cm approx.)
These and other works to specification are available via email and contact details as listed above.
These are paintings of Days Gone By completed by Les in recent months with a focus on water travel. They include works Frobisher and the Northern Lights and scenes of the Murray River the lifeblood of Australia ,a main artery upon on which many paddle steamers plied the trade linking the towns and communities which developed along it.
These works will be displayed at an exhibition to be held early next year and all works are for sale POA.
Frobisher's Northern Lights: Canvas over Board : Size 92cm x 62 cm approx.
Wahgunya & Corowa Federation Bridge : Canvas over board : Size 80 x 55 cm approx.
Murray River at Waikerie South Australia : Paddlesteamers Size: 60 x 60 cm approx.
Mouth of the Murray River Lake Alexandrina South Australia : Canvas over board : Size 40 x 60cm approx.
Redliffs On the Murray Canvas over board Size: 40 x 60 cm approx.
Anchorage 1790s at Castle Rock Townsville Bay FNQ : Canvas over Board Size : 92 x 62 approx.
The photo at bottom, is a new panel, one of three modified slightly in design so as to match existing panels shown here as well as two other lap and sash windows . They are to be installed in three wind out windows to be included in a living area extension and the antique and waterglass coupled with the bevel, a touch of red and some blue glass should create a refreshing crisp, clean look. Being more square in shape required shortening of the ribbon and some changes to the design layout.
One of the recent issues arising with regard to leadlight panels are premade doors containing leadlight panels or leadlight look alikes. This recent leadlight of similar design containing central bevel cluster and bevel circles that I completed to replace a rather thin and flimsy leadlight made from very thin glass which had been in a door purchased as a new replacement front door .While looking similar to the real thing the artificial leadlight is very different and is very hard to pick this difference!.
I have added a pink border on this one at request of the client, as most of the panels usually are uncoloured glass and either rectangular or oval containing bevel clusters or bevels. With this particular door, the panel had been stapled into the door and both the door and the shape of panel were not at all symmetrical which made the task even more difficult being a symmetrical design!! . The trim was compressed cardboard. I have had several requests from customers who have ended up with a broken panel as a result of a slight bang on the leadlight with keys or an object, or the door shutting a little too hard. I altered this leadlight to ensure the background glass contained more pieces( eight instead of six ) so as to be in keeping with safety standards. The last thing one would want is for a child to be able to break the glass on contact and suffer an injury! Also the security is an issue in being so flimsy as to be able to be broken and piece removed allowing access to the lock. Authentic lead lights are quite strong and in being made the original way, and puttied rather glued in, whereas some artificial leadlights are nowhere near as durable. It seems these doors with premade "leadlight panels" are readily available on the market, and for those wanting a leadlight panel is not quite the " real thing". If buying such a door it pays to ask about the glass panels!
Glazier
came round today - see attached for the (fantastic) results.
I'm delighted with it - once again, thank you so much! Comment by owner James.
Yellow flower- copperfoil
Magnolias and gum blossom light catchers- copperfoil
Blue clematis- copperfoil : NFS
These seven panels are my latest creation having taken a month to cut and build. I have superimposed them upon a photo of the front door so as to create an overall view of how they will look. There are almost 800 pieces of glass, a couple of kilograms of solder and about 80 sticks of lead. They took a full day and a half to putty/ cement and polish. As each piece of glass is cut by hand , at one point in time my fingers were feeling the effects! These would have to be the most complex and intricate panels I have built. There glass is baroque, waterglass and wispy Spectrum Glass in USA plus some English muffle for the border. Design is mine and is copyright.
Finally, I am back doing some glasswork. Have had to step up to the plate and work again to earn some income having not had a decent one for quite some time, band so any mirrors for art exhibitions as was the focus back in 2008/9/10 have had to be placed on hold. When the second lot of stormwater swamped us, I was in the middle of constructing a wildflowers mirror the bits and pattern are still sitting in a plastic bucket!
Having undertaken a sea change, one downside is the limited space and the other not having the usual beautiful garden as a backdrop for photographing. Perhaps one day before I am too old. This has been replaced by a colour bond fence which I am afraid does not exactly compliment the leadlights. However a photo posted is better than none.
The first panel here was one of four created to match and crown existing windows. Hence the hammer glass and older Edwardian style rose design.
The second is similar to one already on this post which was made several years ago to fill a space vacated by an old air-conditioner. It was designed to compliment rather than match the other with similar shape but slight variation in the porthole effect but minus wattle but with surrounding eucalyptus flowers as appeared in the other one. The sea green and tea waterglass is proving ever popular and the recent project also incorporates this glass.
The design in the sketch below is currently in progress with family crests and art noveau flowers. This is usually how I present the concept to customers so they can see how the design might look on completion, although it can look far bolder due to the flat look given no light reflection which usually exists with glass on completion . To date I have cut in excess of 700 pieces of glass and am close to finishing. If the weather is fine towards the end of next week will be puttying or cementing them which will be a huge job given there are seven panels comprising two door panels ( as per sketch, a transom which is the bit above the door , two lower sidelights in excess of a metre long and two smaller top sidelights to make up a front door surround.
The water glass is such a lovely glass to work with and one cannot beat the Spectrum Glass from USA. The colours in this design are not quite exact in the sketch as the borders are pale gold and the background glass a cinnamon clear baroque which has flowing pale gold or pale cinnamon coloured swirls running through the glass. while it all may seem a little overdone given the computer colours are not quite an exact match they actually looks fantastic, now they are finished and am very happy with the result. The red, white and blue flowers balances the red in the family crests, and the pink and purple in the iris is now pinky mauve and white. Behind the flowers in the transom is clear waterglass and the surround a clear baroque with its cinnamon or pale gold swirls. I have also added a fine copper coloured border around the shields or crests as during the course of cutting decided that something was needed to encapsulate them. For the sidelights I have incorporated similar leaves flowing up the panels with red flowers. Of course between the panels are the timber door frames to separate the designs. I must say these took quite some time to build and to solder using about 1.5 kilograms of solder and many sticks of lead. watch this space as once completed and delivered to their new owner I will be able to post some photos.
I just love a challenge and creating unique designs such as this is just fantastic! Just knowing here is no other like it in the world makes it all so worth while along with the enjoyment it brings for years to come for those who look at it each day. Thanks to all of you out there, past present and future who trust in me!
Sketch of door panels- with amended colouring except the pink and mauve irises which are now pale pinky mauve and white. Copyright 2013
January has passed very quickly, indicating New year is over all bar the Chinese New Year which is somewhat significant in ensuring in that my year is supposed to be a good one according to their Horoscope! Along with 1989 and 2001 which was stated years of major upheavals and which in my work was, and which were also massive changes in the world, there must be something in their predictions! In 1989 we relocated from Adelaide and 2001 was my last year as a school principal and one of turmoil. Only hope they are right as the past two have been absolute rubbish, through no fault of our own and is time for a change and some good luck!. It is claimed this year will be a prosperous one and time of massive change and we hope that is an accurate prediction in the most positive of ways as it will take far longer to make up the loss experienced over the past two years! The glass work should be up and running again as soon as my cabinets are completed. I can hardly wait! It was anticipated as happening about now but is a little delayed.
Patience is a virtue! ( I need to put that on the famous quotes section of my Facebook!) Thanks to those who are waiting patiently for me to things get up and running again and sincerest apologies for the delays. I still have a wildflower mirror in piece to complete which was at last glimpse sitting cut out on my workbench all but the background in readiness from the John O'Brien festival art exhibition when a wall of water which having nowhere to go and combined with greasy silt from the dam on the common trashed our home in March 2012. Will be like a large jigsaw puzzle finding where each piece sits! Watch this space for updates!
20cm x 30cm Acrylic on canvas unframed: $150
" Footbridge over Crooked River"
One of the most relaxing places we have visited to admire the changing landscape is the Crooked River wherre the tiny flathead and sand whiting swim and the soldier crabs burrow their way into to the soft mud. The footbridge crosses the river and privides access to the Seven Mile beach.This painting is looking east across the river to the beach with ocean in the background.
Yet another year has almost passed and Christmas is once again just around the corner. Each year seems increasingly more difficult to reach the ideal balance between serenity and joy of quiet celebration and completing Christmas shopping with the frantic pace of crowds and shopping malls and commercial hysteria!.
Since we have relocated to the coast there have been several enquiries as to where we are and whether we are doing any glass work and artwork! It must be Murphy's Law given we have been out of action for so long and very little request for our art.
We are hoping to be set up again in the New Year and have orders in for more glass cabinets and plan to be operating again soon.
We have onl recently found a permanent residence to rent and place to settle after being displaced for so long from our home. We will not be returning given the risk of a recurrence as to lose precious possessions again would be too great a stress.
What with the effects of the drought some eight years ago in 2004 when I first started back into leadlight work after leaving the Department of Education, then the GFC and economic downturn, when things slowed to a virtual halt other than the odd piece such as the RSL panel, things were looking pretty grim! Thinking that was the last of it and wondering if we could get going again, we were then walloped by the storm water and silt from a breached dam and or levee on the common and sewage latest disasters in dealing with damaged house and loss of contents. The wildflowers mirror planned for the Narrandera Art exhibition was in pieces which are still hiding somewhere in a box and it has been difficult to ascertain what we own and what is missing never to be seen again. This was almost as bad as having hand knitted jumpers returned damaged after treatment renewing bad memories of what they and life had once been for us.
An order has been placed for new cabinets to hold art and glass which should be in place by February.
Replacing furniture and possessions for a second time ( or third if counting the original) over two years has been stressful coupled with sorting issues which was a full time occupation albeit unpaid!. I wonder how people in the USA who are constantly hit by hurricanes or tornados year in and year out and not knowing if and when the next will strike, manage to keep body and soul together.
Hopefully, we have seen the last of all the trauma and 2013 will be a happier year and bring much prosperity to all. Thank you to those of you who have emailed or phoned with good wishes.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish each an every one of you A Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year.
We have now relocated to the coast where the climate is is not so extreme.. no more frosts and fogs!
Although we are renting a small villa, we plan to find some space within to operate and will be up and running in 2013 creating more artworks and glass pieces. It is likely the garage will become a work studio. While we are now residing on the coast we are able to complete work outside the area where we are based as has been the case a few years back when we constructed panels for Hunter Valley and Queensland. So if you like our unique style and quality work and have an enquiry, please drop an email or a call us up!
Although we have been out of action for quite some years other than the odd piece such as that made for the RSL, and mirror for gifts or art exhibition, we have recently received several expressions of interest from clients wanting our services and we thank them for their patience while we get up and running again.
One of my most favourite pieces, the Australian Gum Blossom mirror which was exhibited at a gallery caught a buyers eye and sold. The wildflowers mirror underway after moving back home last August and which was being made for the Narrandera art exhibition and John O'Brien festival is now in a box packed away somewhere. Having finished cutting it, except the background, the entire event was suddenly disrupted buy another wall of silt and water which hit in March this year.
Fortunately this time we were able to shift our vehicles and unlike 2010 they survived the ordeal!.
To all our friends, we wish you all A Very Merry Christmas and A Peaceful & Prosperous 2013.
Relocation to Illawarra and Shoalhaven Area:
We have been out of circulation for a while but we are now gradually getting organised following what has been a very trying time. After moving back into our home after 10 months of disruption in 2010 and completing the RSL navy, army and airforce memorial leadlight panels for the RSL NSW now displayed in the Lockhart Club, a half finished wild flower mirror and paintings, we were just starting to feel we were returning to some semblance of normality when in March, we again copped another flogging with same destroying out house and most of what we had worked to replace including furniture! After many months of disruption we have now relocated to the Illawarra south coast area and in a few weeks will be getting back into the artwork! This time, being on much higher ground, it is seriously hoped that sewage, silt and stormwater which caused so much chaos and damage will no longer be an issue for us and we can finally get on with life and get back to creating and doing what we do best!
During the past couple of years, while not able to do much while being housed in temporary accommodation for the majority of the time, we have been travelling about and at same time seeking stimulous and ideas for future artworks.We look forward to a new life albeit after many years of set backs as we are certainly not spring chickens. New ventures and creating more interesting pieces will be back on the agenda and to any of you who follows and appreciates our work. We are still able to provide new pieces and will be getting back into creating very soon! Watch this space!
Picture 1: RSL leadlight with limited back lighting 2. Leadlight installed taken from the outside 3. Leadlight installed taken from inside.
The latest venture in the leadlight construction has been this panel approximately 1.5 metres wide built for the Lockhart RSL. It represents the Royal Australian Navy; The Australian Army and the Royal Australian Airforce. It will most likely be installed in a light box so as to be backed by sufficent light and afford protection when mounted on the wall.
I must say this is my first effort at designing an eagle and while the chain on the anchor initially posed a slight problem in designing so as not tocreate too many fiddly pieces of glass to be cut and then leaded up, both panels worked out quite well and was happy with the result. It was a little different to the one completed for Broken Hill Mess in that the Hopper in it was quite a striking focus and in this panel, making it look striking while maintaining a conservative approach made be a little tentative. The army one was not really an issue having created and built one before for The Base Mess at Broken Hill comprising the Hopper, Army Badge and SA regiment badge.
Update: The RSL leadlight is finally installed, only issue being it was installed back to front as the design is in reverse when viewed from the inside. The badges sit in a particular order. Initially it was designed to be housed in a light box with timber surround and so as to be permanently fluro lit from behind to highlight the colours. However this was not to be once handed over, and someone else took control deciding it would be placed in an existing window space and being larger, required adjustment to fit.
While feedback has been nothing but positive re the item, I can but feel a mild sense of disappointment in that it is not quite what I envisaged it to be.
The surround would not be quite as I would have done it balancing it by including a little blue and gold in the border to highlight the work and contrast the clear background had I been in a position to do this. Regardless of this, it looks pretty good and is winderful to do a piece of work which is representative and commemorates the many members of the Australian Navy, Army and Airforce who have done so much for Australia both in times of conflict and within communities .God bless each and every one of you and for those involved in conflict , may you stay protected and wish you a safe journey.
Les has been water colour painting with two works - one of Kenrick Homestead and my Grandmother coming home in the sulky . Kenrick was my mother's childhood home.The other work of art is the Poppet head at Broken Hill.
Les also completed the lettering on the RSL leadlight.
It is less than two months to Christmas and we are hoping 2012 is a far far better year than 2011 has been . Roll on 2012!
These three works now : SOLD
Recent artworks by Les:
Man and his Dog in Rome, Seking Canal and Bridge of Verona are just three works completed in recent months. Hill End is still yet to be completed. Note:
Man and his Dog in Rome,and Bridge of Verona have gone to good homes and have been sold.
Other works POA.
Yet another wedding gift mirror has been completed for Sydney. It is made from black and clear baroque glass for the border with pink white wispy rose petals and is a wedding gift gfor my neice and new hubby. The mirror is approximately 550mm x 450mm witha simple black and speckled gold frame.
Apologies are in order for the quality of the photo as the mirror looks far better in the flesh and hung on the wall as it is much brighter, the border darker and the leaves greener than appears in this photo. Also note that the table and books are a reflection and while several techniques have been trialled to remove reflections, doing so takes away the fact it is a mirror making it look like plain glass without character.
With a relatively quiet week spent sniffling and snuffling with some pesky respiratory ailment- perhaps hay fever (or allergy to this climate) although this is not usually an annual event for me, I have relished the small break. Could be the return of cold weather and lack of rain to clear the air! Just as spring decides to arrive, and we are lulled into believing it is warming up,the temperature plummets to 2 degrees! Not a drop of rain, though, which has the farmers worried yet again as their crops are starting to brown in patches.
One major task during the week was a serious spring clean of the leadlight studio, stripped out, cleaned and rearranged which meant lifting and shifting almost half a tonne of glass and gear and replacing it after undertaking an early Spring Clean. Quite an accomplishment for someone who loathes housework as much as I do! I figure life is too short and it is such a thankless task although I guess it is something we all do regardless! It would be nice if it could be achieved with a wave of a magic wand or a mere flick of a switch! I have discovered muscles I didn't know existed in my body and was more effective than a trip to a gym!
The next task on the books is a door panel, and following that some window panels. After considerable deliberation I have decided to build it in two sections as it will be almost impossible to turn over during soldering due to the weight. The panel is almost 1.6m long by 620mm wide. The existing panel, in rather poor condition, requires replacement with several breaks and becoming unstable as a result of opening and closing ( no reinforcing bars were used). Being made with zinc came , although lighter than lead is less flexible and can often result in glass cracking. I have determined that to create a similar panel will require three reinforcing bars, together with reinforcement on the edges and be made of lead not zinc, however with size - amount of glass and lead making it rather heavy, it needs to be created in two parts and fitted together on installation.
The design is to be geometric- with a focus on hexagons and diamonds.
Most leadlights I have constructed have usually been separated by a wooden support with glasswork in the top and /or bottom sections. Some similar ones built and installed in the US are double glazed.
More on this in a week or two as the job progresses!
Well,the study transom and front door surround for the house restoration of our dear friends in the Hunter Valley have been completed and delivered. Despite being rained on for a week and almost blown to Fraser Island in the storms which ravaged the coast from Northern NSW to SE Qld we stayed dry. While it has brought much needed rain to the area, for some , the damage by the wind and massive rains created disaster in some areas and certainly dampened our trip! Despite beaches being closed the surfers relished the massive waves and one very keen parasurfer or kite surfer was observed braved the elements at Maroochydore, dancing across the tops of the frothing seas undaunted by the cyclonic conditions!!
The design of the study transom was a combination of the bedroom and front door transoms and the bathroom porthole window with the similar gum blossom given the study and bathroom windows are situated relatively close to each other.
I must say the entire experience has been a labour of love and the clients who sought me out on the internet and requested this job, are the most lovely people with whom to communicate . It is an absolute pleasure and so rewarding to see a project come to fruition and bring pleasure to its new owners.
It was mentioned they were delighted with the finished product. It was interesting to discover that they also had experienced difficulty initially in finding a caring and understanding leadlighter willing to provide a quality product and service and willing to provide prompt response, also consideration in working with them to reach their desired goal or expectation and they thanked us profusely for our efforts. I have accepted this as a compliment and deem it a wonderful testimonial. In response, I can say I appreciated the great freedom to create the designs in keeping with their initial thoughts re overall design plan, glass textures and colour scheme.
The first octagonal window I have ever built turned out to be less difficult than first thought and actually easier to build than a circular porthole window. It did require a little mathematical application however -a search to find the protractor and a recall of some basic geometry!
The colours seem to work well, with the blues contrasting the ambers representing the sun.
Originally it was requested the dove be larger however I am somewhat particular regarding how I incorporate birds into leadlight panels as they can look quite ugly if they dominate the space particularly if the panel is relatively small ( less than a metre across) . Hence a simple approach was preferred in keeping the bird smaller as this panel was approximately 400mm across and with border increasing it to 550-600mm. The bird has been created from iridised white streaky glass where the surface of the glass has been treated to create a mottled effect reflecting a shine and flashed appearance with pastel colour change. Amber antique and waterglass was used for the sun.
Drafting birds can pose difficulties not only with regard to feathers but also in creating an artistic finish. I once sighted a galah in a front door sidelight which took up more than half the area and making overall design quite ugly. Since then have erred on the side of caution with regard to incorporating birds when compiling a design and should the space to be filled be quite small, is not really recommended. Unless created using stained glass- where the feathers are painted on and kiln fired prior to leading, which is a separate process, the smaller the design the more limited in cutting shapes to create feathers unless relying on the streaky features in wispy glass and selecting and cutting to best fit sections of the design.
It is reassuring to see a resurgence in the popularity of leadlight in newer homes as it was once viewed as something found in older Federation and Victorian homes, some of which did not suit modern buildings og today, however, with brighter coloured glass, greater contrast in colours, and modern designs, it can be made to look a brilliant feature in modern homes while providing an individual touch.
In some newer houses it appears to be making a comeback with transoms and ornamental brass latches to allow hot air to escape and air to circulate, plus front door surrounds, and in bathrooms to create visual appeal now much nicer shades of glass are available on the market .
Despite the cold weather I have been able to complete the sidelights and transom in the front door surround for clients in the Upper Hunter. The sun came out and a stiff breeze sprang up prior early this week before the freezing cold snap and so it was all stations on to putty the five pieces before the clouds brought rain ( and snow to some parts not far from us). A real race against time and the weather!
These panels complete the entryway... with a transom, two top sidelights and two arched bottom sidelights. The top sidelights and transom have been capped with a violet arch in the design to compliment the arch in the bottom sidelights and highlight the violet in the flowers. The seagreen ribbon leaves flow up and across the panels linking them together in attempt to create an overall artwork and the sidelights on the right have been reversed to create a mirrored design effect given the symmetrical nature of the seven pieces however the free flowing leaves and slight a symmetrical elements of the designs break with formality. The colours- violet, teal and seagreen, waterglass and amber antique glass compliment each other in texture and colours . The background is Sahara glass. The photo is a composite constructed from the individual pieces to show the completes surround so if not perfectly aligned this is because of my cutting, pasting and stitching!!.
Along with an adddional two transoms currently being designed, there is a porthole window " on the boards" for Qld. Will keep you posted!
Transom for Hunter Valley front door surround. Designed by Riverina Leadlight & Fine Art. All works copyright.
Riverina Leadlight and Fine Art ( riverinaleadlight.com.au) commenced operation in 1988 while I was workinf for the department of education and was asked to fix a couple of broken panels. We provide a range of authentic leadlight panels, mirrors, artworks, insurance repairs, restoration and leadlight supplies for hobbyists throughout the Riverina, NSW and North Eastern Victoria.
We also repair windows for clients in metroplitan, regional and rural areas.
The leadlights are a quality product made from glass pieces cut and fitted together to specification to create a design for a window, door mirror or artwork and each piece is created to individual taste and size to fit.
Leadlight adds colour and sparkle to both older style and newer homes and designs can be made to suit with either traditional style or more contemporary.
The designs are drawn specifically to suit the measurement and balance the space to be filled. The pieces of coloured glass are then cut and fitted together in the traditional way using lengths of lead and soldered to create a finished which can be fitted into a frame. The panel is waterproofed and cleaned prior to fitting and made in keeping with safety standards.
Along with leadlight, we produce artworks in a range of media such as watercolour, oil and acrylic.
We hope you enjoy viewing some of the works we have created.
All works are copyright.
TESTIMONIALS
*Glazier came round today - see attached for the (fantastic) results. I'm delighted with it - once again, thank you so much! Comment by owner James.*Many thanks for your hard work. The leadlighting is a great addition to the overall impression of the house.
Prue -Hunter Valley Jan 2009
* Nola said " Oh Yes, one very thrilled recipient here! Jan 26 2008
* Prue & Dennis: Hunter Valley : Dennis and I are thrilled with the work you have done on the leadlights. It has made our home come alive !!! Your expertise has restored the entrance hall and the front bedroom to how I imagine they must have looked when the house was built in the 1890s - albeit, with a different design. Many people have been "blown away" with the effect of your excellent work and are especially interested to know that you created it all, long-distance - from Lockhart in the Riverina - via telephone calls, emails and our very careful measurements ! Thank you for the time taken, on our behalf, to research the best methods of transporting our beautiful porthole leadlight to the Hunter Valley . Thank you too, to Les who assisted you by making up the sturdy crate in which the leadlight was transported. You are both very talented people and I intend, in a few months time, to commission Les to paint a picture of our restored house. We will be in touch again to have the remaining transom designed for the back door, when work has been completed in the kitchen. Many thanks for your delightful friendliness, customer-support and speedy completion of our superb new addition to our "work-in-progress".Prue and Dennis
* Monday, October 01, 2007 Anne Muir said...
Hi, I am the person who commissioned this beautiful hexagonal window from RL. I was after a dove of peace and although I had something in mind, I could not really describe what I wanted . RL came back with a few ideas and after a few changes we ended up with the above. I am absolutely thrilled with it and can't wait to see it installed in our new home which is currently under construction. I will send a picture to RL once we are in the house. I am extremely happy with RLs work and all her help with colours and textures etc.. I would definitely recommend Riverina Leadlight to anyone interested in adding something different and beautiful to their home.
Nola said...
* Love the new work, as I'm sure the new owners will too. It must be frustrating to encounter other people's poor workmanship. I know that fixing things done wrong first time around is not easy or pleasant work! Or cheap, for the owner!
Maryann 'n Steve said...
Thanks to RL we are now the very proud owners of some absolutely gorgeous waterbirds. We cannot express how happy we are with every aspect of our interactions with RL , from the initial consultation, through the whole design and consultation process, to viewing the work in progress and now the finished product. This is a very special addition to our backyard (yes, we are a little eccentric...most people put their leadlight in the house!). Riverina Leadlight have our recommendation to anyone looking for something different, created by someone who listens to your ideas, and produces a truly unique masterpiece. We are ecstatic!!Thanks Glen.....we will be back!
What is leadlight?
Leadlight consists of panels made up of small pieces of clear or coloured glass fitted together and separated by lead stripping .
How is a leadlight made?
1. A design is created anda pattern drawn.
2. The glass pieces are cut to shape from the pattern
3 The pieces are fitted together like a jigsaw with the pieces separated by strips of H shaped lead to complete the design .
4 The joins are soldered to form a solid panel the correct size to fit a frame, window or door space.
(External or large internal panels such as doors and windows are reinforced for added strength and puttied and polished after construction to protect against the weather.)
5. The leadlight is puttied, cleaned and polished to blacken the lead
6 The leadlight is installed just as a pane of glass would be installed in a window frame.
The majority of our designs are unique and made to specification and we are able to create designs to suit a range of situations whether modern style, or Edwardian and Victorian.
Copperfoil products, also available, are not leadlight as they are not made using the same process, and therefore have limited applications such as lamps, small mirrors and light catchers.
Where leadlight be displayed in my home?
Leadlight can be fitted into front door surrounds e.g. sidelights, front doors, internal doors as well as windows.
Modern designs can be created to suit 21st Century homes and should a permanent fixture not be possible, free hanging pieces are available.
In older homes, transoms above doors were often leadlighted allowing both light and air to pass between rooms. These panels were often hinged to allow warm air to flow between the rooms or to the outside on hot days, allowing cooler air to take its place. Fan shaped leadlights or " fanlights" also added colour and light to internal hallways.
A timber surround is preferred to allow flexibility of movement and to minimise expansion. Leadlight can be installed anywhere either internally or externally, however external panels require weather proofing and in some cased reinforcement. Porthole windows are a popular addition to some homes today and leadlights provide privacy as an alternative to plain glass or block excessive glare from the sun.
An addition to any bathroom or hallway can be a leadlight mirror with decorative design, framed or unframed to be hung or afixed to the wall. Cabinet and cupboard doors are another alternative in wall units or free standing cabinets. Brightly coloured mirror glass can be used to create artworks where backlighting is minimal, however lighting from behind can be fitted if desired.
Would I be able to make or repair a leadlight?
Many people undertake leadlight courses for various reasons , some with a view to learning a new skill, to create lamps and hangings, or make panels for their homes. It is important, however, to keep in focus as with any project, just what is involved in creating a piece, prior to commencement as this can often allay anguish and also unnecessary expense. While creating a light catcher can be a relatively simple and straight forward process, building a door panel or window pane can be a very different issue . Constructing a toolbox is largely different from building a house or a new kitchen and leadlight is a complex task!
I have had many people ask if I conduct classes as they wish to create a window or sidelight for their home with view to it being a cost saver. However, a half a dozen woodwork classes does not a back deck build and with door and window panels consideration must be given to a range of factors such as durability and stability, and waterproofing.
Unfortunately due to the issues of liability & safety, coupled with work space and cost factors I do not conduct leadlight classes however they are available through incorporated institutions such as TAFE.
Developing the basics of cutting and fitting pieces of glass together to create a panel or lamp the correct size takes some time and before committing funds to tools and materials it is wise, if considering DYI a cheaper option, to set realistic goals, to consider the reasons for embarking on a course and to research what is required to gain the desired result. After all, the last thing anyone would want is to considerable money spent on materials, course and tools to create a window only to find it sags and requires expert input to rectify the problem within a couple of years. ( Point in case being the case with a particular church window in the ACT designed and constructed all but a few years ago by someone claiming to be a leadlighter only to show signs of serious sagging and requiring attention. )
Leadlight courses include many facets ranging from craft like activities - copper foiling, lamp making, light catchers (which can be hung in front of windows )and smaller leadlight panels such as cabinets to trade based larger projects. It can require time and experience to reach the stage of knowledge of structures and construction techniques.
SO WHAT IS COPPERFOIL? Copperfoil is made by placing foil strips over the edge of the glass, piecing the glass design together by placing the pieces side by side and soldering over the entire foil strip. While it is light and suitable for lamps and smaller light catchers, it is far less flexible than leadlight as the H lead used in leadlight acts as a cushioning agent absorbing vibration during movement. ( e.g. caused by ground or air) Copperfoil panels are more rigid being separated by a paper thin strip of foil and consequently will often crack under the stress of movement and vibration-constant opening and closing - internal pressure created by air movement or ground movement resulting from traffic, climate and other factors.
It is important to consider the building standards regarding different situations of panels, depending on height, size, and placement whether in a bathroom, a wall, on a landing; internal or external and those not engaged in professional leadlight trade should check structural issues prior to embarking on a major project as some panels require reinforcement and support given the weight and location of the panel. Leadlight is very heavy and given a square metre of glass minus lead can weigh up to 7 kilos, a leadlight panel of same size can weight considerably more.
Leadlight is definitely should be viewed a trade rather than a hobby and professional leadlighters contacted regarding products and courses to ensure theyare experienced and /or a registered business.
Can leadlight be fitted into aluminium windows?
Leadlight is able to be fitted to most windows, doors and timber frames on external windows or internal spaces. The building process for the leadlight is very precise given a different lead is used. If building a new home, it is possible to contact the window company or your builder to let them know your plans for leadlight, so the company can include it in their plans rather than making changes after the house is finished construction. This information can be shared with a leadlighter of your choice and if need be they can communicate with your window maker or builder.
Timber windows do lend themselves far better to leadlight, and while the remaining windows in a home may be aluminium, it is possible to insert a timber frame in areas such as bathrooms to accommodate a leadlight.
How can I tell the condition of my leadlight?
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY LEADLIGHT IS WORTH FIXING OR NOT?
Leadlight if in good condition should be quite solid and strong. They can last many decades, even centuries depending on the degree of care. Sometimes if subjected to movement or impact, the leadlight may become loose and the lead may not support the glass sufficiently if the joints are poorly soldered. Lead which has been exposed to chemicals can resulted in oxidation and glass can become sandblasted over time in dry and dusty areas or if in a smoky or smoggy area. If subjected to continual movement and not reinforced, depending on how the leadlight was made, solder joints can fracture, putty from under the lead break away and cracks appear in the glass. In some cases, if subjected to stress, glass can develop hairline fractures almost naked to the human eye until the leadlight is dismantled or removed. However a well made leadlight should last for many years.
More often than not the leadlight can be repaired or restored if the glass is cracked or broken however if the leadlight has been poorly made, has gaps between the glass and the lead, is sandblasted or is allowing dust, drafts or water through gaps and if there is no other matching leadlight it may be more cost efficient to have a quality leadlight replacement build to same , similar or new design.
To determine the condition, tap gently with the hand or fingers and press with the hand on the leadlight pane. If it flexes more than the usual small amount (leadlight is meant to flex a little in order to withstand movement and air pressure), or if it rattles then it is in need of repair.
Placing sticky tape or contact over the leadlight is not a good idea unless a temporary screen to dust or rain and in this event if necessary, some masking tape and a small piece of heavy duty plastic is a far better alternative temporary measure until the leadlight can be repaired.
Leadlight is usually quite tough and solid if in good condition and well made. Solder joints and lead should be free of fine cracks. Glass which has cracked ( sometimes hairline and almost invisible to the naked eye) or broken should be replaced as over time the leadlight may weaken and is more difficult to salvage. If the glass is generally in good condition the lead can be replaced and re soldered requiring a REBUILD or RESTORE. Pieces of broken glass can often be matched and or replaced which is a REPAIR.
Should gaps can appear between the lead and the glass, it may require a complete re-seating into the lead or glass recut as poor cutting can result in the glass not seating into the lead came neatly. Some leadlight I have repaired or restored have contained glass which has been very poorly or roughly cut creating gaps between the glass and lead.
WHAT CAN BE DONE IF LEADLIGHTS ARE IN NEED OF REPAIR AND I AM SITUATED IN AN ISOLATED AREA?
For those living in isolated country areas who have leadlight in need of repair, leadlight panels can be removed by removing beading or putty using a chisel or sharp object. Before removing- photograph and measure the opening. When removing, if the leadlight is lacking in strength it can be placed or taped / strapped onto a board . The leadlight can be packaged in wooden panelling and transported to us for repair. If less than metre in length, Australia Post provides good service for a reasonable rate. We can repair the leadlight and return it within a few days depending upon our workload, however we endeavour to carry out emergency repairs to panels as quickly as possible. It also necessary to provide an exact measurement of the space from which the leadlight was removed ( to the nearest Millimetre, plus a photo of the design in case of total collapse! Then a new design cam be created to suit the existing pieces and measurements.
In the interim, the window space can be filled temporarily with a board such as MDF cut to size by a carpenter or builder or owner if a handy person and leadlights are not overly difficult to install as they are in one piece similar to what a panel of glass would be ( and equivalent in size).
On reinserting panels, glaziers points can be used then some putty or a non corrosive silicon applied to the outside after installation and trim or strips of putty being reapplied if necessary.
Leadlights and stained glass panels are relatively simple to install and the panel is a solid one piece which can be placed in situ given it is built to fit the precise space with a couple of millimetres to allow for movement. The surrounding lead should NEVER have nails or tacks placed through it as this can cause the leadlight to twist in event of movement resulting in cracking and warping. Where leadlight is installed by clients or tradesmen, we are more than happy to provide assistance or advice to make the process and simple as possible and to ensure the leadlight will provide pleasure or enjoyment for many years to come.
For all enquiries
or for more information you can visit:
http://www.riverinaleadlight.com.au/
Repairs and Restorations
Authentic Leadlight, is able to be repaired- refer to photos of some restored and repaired. The extent of the damage and overall quality of the leadlight influences the work involved. However as mentioned above: Artificial leadlight which is either glued or made with a single piece of glass and a design printed onto the glass which is extremely thin is often able to be repaired or restored.
Leadlight panels, if old and subjected to movement or stresses over years may require re-puttying if the old cement has turned powdery and the leadlight rattles. Over time, some cements can deteriorate allowing moisture and air to pass between the glass and the lead. The putty falls away as a fine dust. Excessive stress or movement may cause fine cracks to appear in the lead, glass or solder joints. If the joints and lead are in good condition, the leadlight may just require re-cementing.
If the lead has deteriorated, the leadlight may be taken apart glass removed, cleaned and rebuilt with broken sections replaced with new glass and lead if required.
If the leadlight is in poor condition, there are no other matching pieces, does not have historical significance or has been poorly made, a new replacement may be a more financially viable option. By retaining the old design and closely matching colours and textures an almost identical leadlight can be created in keeping with the original design. Some pieces of unique glass from the original leadlight may also be retained and reused and background replaced, depending upon the quality of the leadlight. If pieces have been badly cut or fitted, they may need reformatting.
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