Subscribe to Sunday| Magazine online for free! (from the makers of CSDI)
Declan Smith from Christian Family Centre in Seaton, South Australia brings us these awesome stained glass pieces with a very ghostly cross behind them.
They constructed the windows and mosaic cross for their Easter services.
They made the three windows from 4mm acrylic sheeting cut to size and framed with cheap MDF to support them an add a subtle decorative border. After trying a variety of paints on the glass they discovered mixing food coloring and varnish together created a cheap and effective transparent paint that stuck well to the glass. The rested the large windows on black boxes and suspended them from the ceiling.
Along with the windows they also constructed a mosaic mirror cross that hung behind or in front of the windows. This was constructed from cheap Ikea mirrors and stuck to an old wooden cross they had. After sticking on the mirrors the cross was grouted black to get rid of the sharp mirror edges.
Windows (costs in Aust. Dollars)
- Timber – $120
- Acrylic sheets – approximately $400
- Paint, screws, etc. – $60
- Mosaic cross – $70
I write and speak about the creative process – especially for churches. Call me a resource for the church creative wanting to make their ministry better.
I had a similar idea its good to see someone else is thinking the same thing
For the cross, did you buy colored glass/mirrors? How did you get the colors on the mosaic cross before adding lighting? This is a great idea!
Marilyn
Hi Marilyn,
The cross is just made from normal mirrors, they are just reflecting other colours in the room in that image. We just bought the cheapest mirrors we could find from Ikea. Using coloured glass could be a interesting idea though!
Declan
Another stained glass technique is to use rice paper and paint with fabric dye.
Love the cross technique! I think the colored glass idea mixed with mirror would be good also, but might need to paint the cross white first…
Beautiful!