Stained glass dome, The woman and the Red Dragon
A stained glass dome, 22foot x 22foot depicting Revelations 12. A 7 headed red dragon stalks a mother bearing a son. This dome was designed for a pastor who owns Lazarus Brewing in Austin Texas and was made using traditional painting techniques depicting a modern pictorial scene. Traditional methods were used to manufacture this dome in Cape Town, South Africa, and then air freighted to Austin,Texas a year and half later for installation.
Site-Specific & Architectural Art Segment (Site-Specific & Architectural Glass)
50 x 280 x 280
1
Materials List
Glass
Paint
Lead
Solder
Steel
Installation Location
4803 Airport blvd, Austin, TX, 78751, US
Collaborating Artist/Fabrication Team
Design collaborator: Ree Treweek
Frame manufacturer: Brian Chilton Design
Artist Statement
In 2021, a pastor named Christian Cryder approached me in Cape Town, South Africa, with an ambitious project for his brewery, Lazarus Brewing, in Austin, Texas. The plan was to create a large dome , 22f x 22f, inspired by Revelations 12, featuring a 7-headed red dragon hunting a woman bearing a son. After conducting thorough research and gathering references I settled on a spiral design to draw viewers into the central scene. Collaborating with illustrator, Ree Treweek, we used digital tools to create the artwork, with full artistic freedom and input from the client. The frame was constructed by Brian Chilton Design based on an existing smaller version in Lazarus 1, and cardboard templates were fitted in the actual dome before being sent down to South Africa.
Despite the challenges of sourcing materials from different parts of the world, including France,I managed to received glass and other supplies throughout the year.
I meticulously painted and assembled the windows, pouring my heart into the centerpiece depicting the mother and son, radiating love, strength, and protection. Along the way, we faced hurdles and power cuts in South Africa, which affected our work schedule and required strict coordination of kiln firings at stressful hours.
With the assistance of another artist for glass cutting and leading, the project pushed the boundaries of our studio. The finished dome, weighing nearly half a ton, was shipped to Texas via air freight. Despite minor cracks, the panels fit really well with only minor adjustments needed. The completed dome now graces Lazarus Brewing, where sunlight illuminates the glass, bringing the dragons to life and creating a captivating play of light throughout the day. Through perseverance, teamwork, and creativity, we successfully brought the client’s vision to fruition, overcoming challenges and delivering our best masterpiece up to date.
