Welcome to my life in stained glass.

I discovered stained glass a number of years ago via a class that my wife gave to me as a gift. I instantly knew that this was to be my new avocation. The combination of creativity and technical skill speaks "artisan" to me. I enjoy the "planned inspiration" that stained glass requires -- not a completely technical activity devoid of artistry, but at the same time requiring a great deal of care and expertise that develops over a period of time and which cannot be achieved simply by the wave of a creative wand (though I do admire that!). Constructing a piece has its own tempo, with periods of quick movement as well as extended quiet contemplation. Designing the piece, choosing the glass, cutting and preparing the glass, and soldering all require a different skill set. I find choosing the glass to be one of the most enjoyable yet difficult challenges.




Prince Edward Island is nothing if not famous for its seaside, and many visitors (and Islanders, too) love to visit, photograph and paint its lighthouses. I'm not aware of anyone who has captured them in stained glass. This piece, an example of the unique Aanraku triangle lampshade system, is an elaboration and adaptation of a single Aanraku panel (the center panel in the triptic below). It is not a true representation of any existing lighthouse on PEI but is an amalgam of the Point Prim and West Prince lighthouses (this is a bit of a stretch, perhaps, as the former lighthouse is a graceful column of white while the latter is a striking contrast of black and white stripes on a square structure). I've included photos of the finished lamp by day and night as well as the triptic panel photographed just prior to lamp construction.

About the artist: Philip MacLellan is a fifth generation "Islander" and owner/operator of Seascape Chalet, an executive vacation home in the fishing village of Stanley Bridge on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, Canada, where these meticulously created stained glass works of art are exclusively displayed.

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Sun & Moon

Wow! Are the stars ever bright! Many visitors to the Island are surprised at how close the heavens appear on PEI. The gentle coastal breeze quickly moves out cloud formations, and the rural setting with little light pollution allows the stars to sparkle brightly at night.

While the Island is known for its breathtaking sunsets, its sparkling starlit evenings also contribute to an unforgettable PEI experience. This luminaire presents the sun and moon, two heavenly bodies creating wondrous views in their own special way by day and by night. Constructed of 4" x 4" panels, embedded jewels depict the sun and moon on the front and rear panels, and beveled glue chip clear glass provides that unique frosted look on the side panels. The front panel (shown) depicts the sun, with an iridized dark amber "moonfaced" jewel surrounded by sections of dark amber granite-textured cathedral glass representing the sun's rays. The rear jeweled panel depicting the moon consists of an iridized clear moonfaced jewel surrounded by clear/white wispy art glass. All four vertical panels are trimmed with multicolored granite-textured cathedral glass, and the 4" x 4" base is constructed from amber/white opaque art glass. I have placed this candle holder in an indoor setting, but my next one (this time with moon and star jewels) will be a hanging candle holder to be placed outdoors.

About the artist: Philip MacLellan is a fifth generation "Islander" and owner/operator of Trout River Retreat, a riverside cottage in Millvale, the community next to Stanley Bridge on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, Canada, where this meticulously created stained glass work of art is exclusively displayed. Visit East Coast Escapes -- a thousand miles from ordinary!

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