View of The Port of Philadelphia by James Hamilton, 1869

as seen at Philadelphia Museum of Art
photo by Wayne Stratz

Why choose between paths when one can be infinite. Mosaics and a quote by Paulo Coehlo

first journey
Wayne Stratz and Margaret Almon

Mosaic Woman created these last year.  I drew the design and we did them as different ways to view the project.  What I did in big pieces in the first path, Margaret did in her style the second way.  and vise versa.  

While there are many quotes about a good path and a bad path, I am glad I found this one when I went searching:

“In a forest of a hundred thousand trees, no two 

leaves are alike. And no two journeys along the same 

path are alike.”  Paulo Coehlo

second journey
by Margaret Almon and Wayne Stratz

In appreciation for fresh pie ~ stained glass for the chef's gals

3D for L
by Wayne Stratz

 For several months this past year we celebrated the local harvest through the creative talents of a friend who happens to be a pastry chef (amazing food recipes found there). 

 It started with rhubarb and wound it ways through strawberries, blueberries, apples, peaches, back walnuts, raspberries, ...  Margaret and I would go over on a Tuesday or Wednesday night and eat pies and tarts (sometimes with homemade ice cream) and drink coffee.  The latter was too late and I would wake up to go teach with a "pie hangover."

Maybe sometime around July when the pie maker walked us outside, I told him my way of thanks... stained glass for his wife and two daughters.  The youngest (a senior in college, who was a pleasant addition to those summer pie nights) got the blue and green 3D piece that greeted you.  The daughter who teaches little ones got this 3D piece ~

3D for M
by Wayne Stratz

 As for my friend, Red (the wife of said Chef), well she has always been a fan of my Wernersville Cross and my patchwork designs, so I thought the Wernersville Cross II should be introduced to the world by way of gift.  So here folks is the one and only cross of this type.  I will make more, I think, but for now I am so glad to know where the first one resides. (and yes, every one has 21 pieces)

Wernersville Cross II
by Wayne Stratz

Looking up at Beth Shalom ~ Frank Lloyd Wright's Chandelier

A Familiar Voice joins Roseanne Cash ~ September When It Comes

The other day I pulled out six CD's from our past and hit random. Halfway through this tune Roseanne's dad popped up. Johnny Cash has a voice that travelled with me from the womb on till this day. It seemed that no matter what my favorite music was, I still loved the man's music.

My post on smiles in included a quote about faces by Frederick Buechner. Well hearing his voice pop up where I had forgotten to expect it certainly brought a smile to my face.

A Critter a Month: another studio goal

I started 2013 with only one animal in stock, my nuthatch mandala,

If that is not an indication that fans dig my critters, well, even I can see they are popular. Birds have dominated my glass zoo, but I don't want to limit myself by saying a bird a month. I am off to a fine start. I got word that I was highlighted on an Audubon Magazine blog on the same day I soldered my penguin.

Suggestions and commissions are always welcomed.

Epiphany Stars ~ studio goals for 2013

At our last show of the year, a man was clearly disappointed by a lack of stars. At some point between that moment and Epiphany, I decided to draw three new star designs when Epiphany arrived they were ready to leave my head.

I was not feeling the best that day, but good enough to use a pencil. The first batch is done. I am thinking seven batches for the year. 21 stars. Once I have a flock, I am going to walk on down to the Virago Bakery and put them on display.