Pipe Dreams

This is a 22.5" x 13.25" stained glass wreath that was built on a 12" steel hexagon shape.  This subject is a Dutchman's Pipevine which is CA Native Plant, and I titled it "Pipe Dreams".  The leaves are heartshaped and the flowers are in the shape of a pipe, hence its name.  There are two Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies on the wreath.  This vine is the host plant for these butterflies.  It was hard to create the flowers since in person they are "puffed" and look like aliens.  The flowers appear first on the vine and then the leaves will grow out.  My inspiration for this piece was a watercolor I painted last fall.  I am trying to create unique pieces that include my love of CA Native plants and local insects and birds. I am a volunteer with our local California Native Plant Society and have the best opportunity to sit and observe native plants and the wildlife that call California home.