When I approached Ale at Machi Yoga in the Hood River Heights about a custom stained glass piece in her studio, I was not expecting such excitement and enthusiasm. She knew exactly where it would go: in the center top window. I was intimidated at first. What did I sign myself up for?! I have never completed a project this big before! But I was so thrilled she said yes.
When imagining what the piece would look like, I reflected on the principles of yoga and the aesthetic of the studio. I wanted to incorporate elements of nature as a way to embody the sensation of inner peace that manifests from the yoga practice.
The oval shape of the piece was intentional. It provides a disruption to the squareness of the windows, while also fitting in nicely with the plants. I also felt that the oval shape would draw the eyes of not only those coming to the studio to practice, but those walking and driving by. Thinking about the piece being viewed from both the inside and the outside of the studio was important to me.
I chose Wissmach transparent English Muffle glass for this project. The transparency allows the light to come through the piece and the bumpy texture adds a dimensionality that can be appreciated in many different lightings.
This project presented many opportunities for me to try new things. For starters, the project is 2 feet wide, which makes it my largest project to date! I also used lead came for the first time, which adds a sturdy and finished look to the outside edge of the piece. I even had my first heat fracture, which required me to replace a cracked piece on the perimeter of the project.
I worked really hard on this piece and it is so gratifying to see it up in the studio. The stained glass adds a vibrancy to the interior space and can definitely be appreciated from the outside of the studio as well. It fits so perfectly in the window amongst the plants—it’s like it was always meant to be there.
It was such an honor to work on this project. I am deeply grateful that Ale believed in me and gave me this opportunity to try new things and take my art to the next level. It is so incredible to see my art out in the world and hear people’s positive reactions to the piece. It has made my yoga practice at Machi that much more special.
Come see the piece for yourself by taking a class at Machi Yoga in Hood River, OR!
Kharrazi Glassworks 