Waterhouse Mermaid

My design was inspired by British artist John William Waterhouse's mermaid sketches from the turn of the 19th century. I am a huge fan of Waterhouse's style, the way he infused his paintings with wistfulness and grace.  This was my first panel ever created and my fifth stained glass piece. I used several shades of blue and white glass to suggest waves crashing on shore. Glass cabochons form the beach on which the mermaid sits, combing her hair, her head bent pensively to the side. I am a realist portrait artist, but I like to leave the faces of my glass subjects blank and rely on head tilt and body language to relay emotion. I love the ethereal quality that the blank faces impart.