Kemp's Tree

Kemp's Tree

Technique: Traditional Stained Glass & Sculptural Copper Repoussé/Chasing

"Kemp's Tree" was born out of a specific residential need. The clients loved their heavily wooded yard but required a solution that offered privacy from the outside, as the window was located on the first floor at the front of the house. To solve this beautifully, I designed a custom panel that mounts directly into the interior window frame.

Because the window is viewed up close and the primary light source is inside the home, I crafted a rich, multi-textured composition designed to complement the natural flows and colors of the landscape outdoors. This provided the perfect canvas for a three-dimensional centerpiece.

The tree itself is meticulously sculpted from raw copper sheeting. Using traditional repoussé and chasing techniques, I incised and formed the metal to mirror the organic grooves of tree bark. I further enhanced the realism using decorative soldering techniques to add intricate bark texturing, followed by custom copper-plating. Over time, this copper will age gracefully, deepening into a rich patina with subtle hints of green.

The breathtaking, textured, multi-colored stained glass used in this piece was manufactured by Youghiogheny Glass—a small firm renowned for making truly superlative, artisanal glass. The result is a functional privacy screen that doubles as an evolving work of fine art.