I have always been an artist.  As far back as elementary school, I was winning art contests.  As a youngster, I worked mainly with drawings, but also had the opportunity to work with clay, metal, and paper mache. 

Not wanting to be a “starving artist,” I attended Villanova University and graduated with a   degree in Business Administration. I set out to conquer the business world, but this left me unfulfilled as the artist in me yearned for expression.  I began taking courses at local art schools.  I never met a medium I did not like, and delighted as I found new expression in pastels, oils, and pen.   In the 80’s and 90’s, I did commissioned work in pastels for Howard University and the DC Government, and sold to my work to various private individuals.

About three years ago, I found my interest in working on paper waning, and I wanted to try something different; something that was cutting edge and not mainstream. I found my self drawn to stained glass, and a passion was born.   

Stained glass has a personality all unto itself.  There is a beauty that it has when it plays with the light.  During the day, it takes on a luminescent quality, and those inside of the house can fully appreciate the beauty of the piece, while those on the outside may pass by without noticing.   During the evening hours, those on the outside will be struck by the beauty of the piece, while those inside will give it a passing appreciation.  In this way stained glass is like nature itself, with both day and night having its own level of energy.

Stain glass is also like the spiritual life of man. When you complete a piece of stained glass, it looks dull, lifeless and uninspiring.  But when that same piece is put into a window, it becomes saturated with light and bursts forth into life.  The same is true of the Holy Spirit: until the light of the Holy Spirit comes into a person’s life, their life is dull and uninspiring, but with the Holy spirit, they become full of joy and light.

My work reflects who I am as a Christian and African–American. In my pieces such as “Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors” and “The Last Supper,” I was able to create Biblical themes that portray my ethnicity.  In my work “The Creative Mind” and “Village Life,” I was able to express various aspects of the African-American experience. 

When working in stained glass, you have to be both an artist and a technician. You have to design the piece, cut the glass, grind the glass, skillfully apply the lead, and build the frame.  The piece of art work has to be sound technically as well as be appealing artistically.  Stain glass is fully art and fully craftsmanship.

I see my work as inspiring, thought provoking, and uplifting.  I want people to realize that their windows are another way of bringing the gift of light into their homes and their life. So often people buy nice houses with lots of windows, then block out the light with window coverings.  I want people to realize that they can have privacy and a mood enhancing array of colors through stained glass.  All of my pieces can be custom fitted to any window.  I also do commissioned work where I work with a person’s ideas to bring their dreams to life.