Stained-glass artisan carries on family’s creative tradition

By Jeff O'Brien

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 | 12:01 a.m.

When Summerlin resident Christine Curtis Wilson goes to work at her in-home studio, she’s inspired by her passion for stained glass creations.

“My mother was an artist and I learned a lot from her,” said Wilson, who has been a professional stained glass artist since 2000. “She did oil paintings, drawings, watercolor and sculptures. But stained glass is my passion.”

Wilson’s work will be on display at the Summerlin Library from Jan. 8 to March 1 in an exhibit called “Bringing Animals and Nature to Life in Stained Glass.”

Her portraits of animals range from tigers to horses and dogs, one of which is a vivid glass painting of her own Dalmatian named Orbit.

“I want people to see how I could capture a scene or an animal and create life in glass,” Wilson said.

The exhibit will also feature landscape pieces — “Desert Bloom” is a meticulous depiction of a Cholla cactus in Red Rock Canyon inspired by a photograph Wilson took.

She does all of her work in her in-home studio, which features two kilns, three backlit worktables and all the soldering and cutting tools she needs.

“A lot of my life is spent in this studio,” Wilson said.

A variety of techniques are used to bring her visions to life. The copper foil method involves soldering together pieces of glass with strips of copper along the edges, and the fusion method is when pieces of glass are melted together and fused into one complete panel.

Wilson also utilizes the Vitri-Fusáille method, a hybrid technique that combines the process of fusing with traditional glass painting. This method allows for much more depth and detail, such as intricate patterns of fur in Wilson’s animal portraits.

The time it takes to finish a project also varies. Smaller pieces can be done in three weeks while larger projects can take several months.

The opening reception for Wilson’s gallery is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 8 at the Summerlin Library at 1771 Inner Circle Drive, near the intersection of Summerlin Parkway and Town Center Drive.

“You can sit and look at a stained glass piece over a 24-hour period and it will look different over time,” Wilson said. “There’s so much intensity and vibrancy, and the passion behind pulling it all together and making it come to life is what drives me.”

Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or [email protected].