1176 - Stained Glass by Debra D'Souza

My name is Debra DSouza and I create glass mosaics. The mosaic grouping you see is titled “Sun/Moon”. A commission for the City of Rochester and its alley activation program. This alley-way is becoming a public walk being filled with art and activity.

My creative life started at an early age by being an observer and recognizing beauty in my surroundings. I always wanted to be an artist, and have experienced many different mediums until I discovered glass. I began working with glass in my 20’s making traditional leaded glass. Some 30 years later I discovered mosaics and I was hooked, I had found my artistic muse. I have a BFA in painting, then I worked with paint and pigments, now I paint with glass. Glass is painting with light and color.

For me public art should have a common thread with every viewer. Sun/Moon represents the passage of time that we all experience. The perpetual cycle of day and night, day and night, they aren’t always the same, but yet they are. Every living thing experiences this cycle.

The most challenging part of this mosaic is the face of the sun/moon, which is also my favorite part. It is multiple layers of glass, painted with glass powder and pre-made glass lace that are fused together to create the image. The supporting stars and flowers are also created by fusing glass.

Most often my work starts with an idea or an observation, often caught on camera. I often use these images as inspiration, working through different challenges to produce the final artwork. Once the design is complete I start pulling glass and cutting the shapes. I work the background first and progressively work forward, especially with my landscape pieces. These have become somewhat my signature style I’m known best for.

To young “creatives” I say, “Don’t give up your passion for making art.” If you love what you do you will always have that pleasure. People often ask me how I can sell my mosaics. My answer: “I LOVE the process of creating glass mosaics.” By selling and sharing my work, it permits me to make more.