Inside Derby Cathedral 2

Derby Cathedral is also noted for its modern stained glass windows. This example is one of a pair which are positioned to either side of the chancel. The windows were designed by Ceri Richards and installed in the Cathedral in 1965.

Ceri Richards was a Welsh artist, born near Swansea in 1903. He won a scholarship to The Royal College of Art and lived most of his adult life in London, except for a spell teaching in Cardiff. In 1929 he married Frances Clayton, a fellow artist from Stoke On Trent.

Various experiences influenced the work of Richards. Music and poetry were significant in his childhood and continued to play an important role in his artwork, with pieces being influenced by the works of Dylan Thomas and Debussy. But he was also drawn to different styles of art. In his early painting, Monet was an inspiration, but later he experimented more with surrealism and abstract images, in the style of such artists as Picasso and Kandinsky.

The stained windows in the cathedral were designed six years before his death in 1971 and certainly seem to reflect the more abstract qualities of his work. I do like stained glass windows; I love to see light shining through coloured glass, but I'm not 100% convinced by this pair. Out of the two, I prefer the one above. Its partner is rather too yellow for my liking.

http://www.ilkcam.com/Specials/Heritage%20Derby/100425/Derby%20HW04.html

Thorns transformed

This stained glass window was created from scratch by my artistic friend of yesterdays blog. It forms part of a glass wall; one of a pair erected inside St Peter's, Shipley, when it was refurbished in late 2005 - 6.

The image within the glass was based on a vision of Christ wearing a crown of thorns, which then transformed into a crown of glory, with rays of light radiating outwards.

I particularly like the crown, but if you look closely, there is also amazing detail in the eyes; especially the right one (left from where you are sitting). They look so alive!

Looking more closely

The snow is gone for the moment. More is forecast, maybe… perhaps… later! But, for now, all that remain are a few scattered patches of slightly grubby white.


I’m not sorry to see it go, but it does bring a whole new dimension to the garden so, as well as enjoying the overall effect of the world being blanketed, I looked more closely to see what I could spot in among all the white.

This little leaf is still hanging on tenaciously (Friday, 5 February 2010). Slightly more battered, but continuing to pay tribute to the gold of autumn; nature's stained glass.

The snowdrops are thrusting their heads up through the snow, almost as if each is shouting out “Oi! Look at me! It might have snowed today, but spring is still just around the corner!” It's definitely becoming more than only a hint. (Monday, 1 February 2010)

And, over by the fence, one small splash of bright red, signals a berry which the birds have missed.