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31st July 2010
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 Making Stained Glass in the South of FranceFE met Roger Tindley to discuss his love for stained glass Stained glass artist Roger Tindley and his wife Linda travelled from Berwick-upon-Tweed, through the waterways of the Languedoc to run a B&B near Montsegur. FrenchEntrée went to meet Roger to dicuss how his new venture, creating stained glass artwork and windows for the burgeoning property renovation market in the south of France, fits into the story of their move to the region.FE Languedoc- How did you become interested in stained glass? Roger - I started making stained glass pictures some fifteen years ago. At the time we were living in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and I drew inspiration both from the old town, with its warm stone walls, and from the wide blue skies and green fields of the Northumberland countryside. There was a ready supply of stained glass in the city of Edinburgh – a particular favourite of mine was a "seedy" antique Polish green glass that captured the smooth, deep green of the Border hills in the winter sun. I built up a library of designs, and a portfolio of construction techniques to match my ideas. Initially I was doing it for my own enjoyment, but I had many requests from friends and acquaintances to make something for them, and one thing led to another… FE Languedoc - So how did you come to be making stained glass in the south of France? Roger - We came to France in a boat (long story!) which led to a break of a few years whilst we travelled south, but allowed visits to some of the finest stained glass in Europe, which kept me thinking. When we started our own renovation project in the foothills of the Pyrenees, I was at last able to set up a purpose-built atelier (although joinery and electronics still seem to find their way in!) We now run a guesthouse which dovetails nicely with time to design and build. Guests can see the works on display, and are welcome to try their hand at the craft on rainy days. FE Languedoc - What are your main influences now? Roger - Many of my designs incorporate Celtic art, particularly knot work which lends itself to the discipline of the lead line. The lead line becomes more than just a support for the glass – it becomes an integral and essential part of the artwork. As well as panels and windows, I make three-dimensional pieces, such as terrariums, clocks and solid geometrical forms.  FE Languedoc - How do you go about producing work for your clients? Roger - During the commissioning process, I use state of the art computer display and design technology, which provides an invaluable tool for myself and my clients. Although not essential for the artistic process, the software has the huge advantage of allowing me to e-mail designs to and from clients – invaluable in our large landscape! Design, colour and size changes can be readily made without studio visits. It is possible to see what the finished window or panel will look like, and I can even superimpose the projected panel on to a photograph to get an impression of the effect it will bring to a room.  FE Languedoc - And what kind of stained glass projects do you enjoy most? Roger - I particularly enjoy working with clients to place stained glass in unusual places. With the amount of renovation work going on in the Languedoc and Midi regions, people are always interested in creating colour and interest to soften or enhance the sometimes rather stark internal lines of converted buildings. For example, these small spaces (see above) have been filled with bright glass instead of plasterboard, which dramatically enhances the beautiful old beams. One of my more recent projects (below) was specified by the client, but the interpretation was down to me. The main requirement was plenty of colour, and a high degree of light transmission (achieved by the use of the cobalt blue glass.) The window is inside a maison de maitre, and will be backlit with a powerful light. It is intended to be striking, and to break up an otherwise rather plain staircase. The floral theme may in future be carried across to larger windows further up the stairwell.
I have also really enjoyed the more unusual task of restoring a Tiffany lamp - a real challenge!  .jpg) For more information about Roger Tindley's work, please visit his website, or contact hime by telephone on: +33 (0)5 61 01 34 87For more information about Tindleys Guesthouse, please click here all images copyright, Roger Tindley Languedoc Living Home Page |
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