Linda Nyquist
Artist
Stained glass is created by cutting colored glass into individual shapes and joining them using lead came or copper foil, then soldering the joints to form a unified structure. The glass itself is manufactured with mineral colorants that produce rich, luminous hues. Finished pieces may be reinforced with framing or structural elements, depending on scale and function.
Why This Medium Matters in My Practice
Glass allows me to work directly with light. Unlike opaque materials, glass changes constantly depending on its environment—time of day, weather, and placement all influence how a piece is experienced. This shifting quality makes the medium especially compelling.
What You’ll Notice in the Finished Work
Color and pattern take center stage. Designs often balance structure with ornament, using repeated forms and flowing lines to guide the eye. Light activates the work, casting color into the surrounding space and extending the piece beyond its physical boundaries.
How It’s Made (Briefly)
Each piece begins with a full-scale pattern, followed by cutting and fitting individual glass sections. The components are assembled using lead or foil techniques, soldered, cleaned, and finished. Structural considerations are integral, ensuring both durability and visual clarity.
What’s Distinctive About My Approach
My stained glass work blends traditional methods with contemporary design sensibilities. I focus on ornamental and creative forms—lamps, panels, and decorative pieces—that emphasize flow, rhythm, and the interaction between color and light.
How to Engage With the Work
These pieces are best experienced in changing light. As conditions shift, colors deepen, brighten, and overlap, creating a living visual presence. I encourage viewers to notice how the work transforms a space rather than remaining static within it.
