Natasha Noel and her fiancé, Ryan Spear, commissioned a Christmas gift for Ryan’s dad, Geoffrey Spear. Geoff dedicated 42 years of service to the Saint John Horticultural Association as the superintendent of the SJ Public Gardens and Rockwood Park Campground. Geoff built himself a beautiful greenhouse so he could continue his gardening passion. The greenhouse is constructed with salvaged windows, some of which are over 100 years old.
Two spaces (12″x24″ and 14″x24″) to the left and right of the top central window were the chosen situs for this commission.
Natasha sent me a list of Geoff’s favorite flowers:
- begonias
- dahlias
- zinnias
- wave petunias
- celosias
- coneflower
Monica and I love gardening and we have learned that the secret to harmony is ‘mass plantings’ and ‘repetition’. So, in the design phase I tried to incorporate that theory with bunches of flowers and some of them appearing in both panels.
Considering such a knowledgeable gardener as Geoff, I was aware that my floral interpretations might be critically scrutinized. So I begged Natasha to convey any inaccuracies as “artistic license”. The main focus for me was color. I wanted the panels to show as well from either side so I used opalescent glass in the most vibrant shades I could find of red, orange, yellow, pink and purple along with various greens for foliage and assorted clear textures for the background.
It was an incredibly intense studio experience for me. Lots of small-piece cutting, lots of deep grinding and finger tip foiling. I was in the zone for ten days with head down and focused, hardly talking to anyone. Monica kept a close watch that my obsession stayed healthy.
Here is a photo gallery of both panels in progression from start to finish.
In the end, the panels turned out as I’d hoped and I was very excited to present them to Natasha. Her emotional response was beautiful and meaningful. “He is very special to us” was her message. I was delighted.
Just after Christmas, I received this wonderful message from Natasha; “Thank you Nelson for creating such a beautiful gift for Geoffrey and our family. It made for a very special Christmas morning surprising our favourite people with such stunning pieces of art. It is a perfect representation of Geoff’s amazing flowers. Our family is going to enjoy the glass for many years to come, together in the greenhouse!”
Thank you Natasha and Ryan for this wonderful commission. Merry Christmas, Geoff. Enjoy your greenhouse with it’s new and vintage glass!
nellyglass studio 
10 replies on “Greenhouse Glories”
Amazing!!! Fabulous workmanship as per usual Nelson.. a real masterpiece to have assigned to your name! ( I knew him when!)❤️❤️❤️❤️ 😯 😯😯😯
Thank you so much Ellen. I thought of you and your panel several times while making this one. ♥️
Nelson,
Thank you for sharing this touching story. I read it with great enjoyment and I love the panels. The family will have wonderful memories of these panels to cherish for many years to come because of your artistry.
Thank you kindly, Chris. Your praise was heartfelt and I appreciate that.
Nell I remember when you were just starting to get serious about this hobby. You have truly become a glass artist and you have produced some incredible pieces that are sure to become heirlooms. Congratulations!!!
What a wonderful message to receive. We do go back a ways don’t we. 😀 Thank you so much for your kind words, Ellen. ♥️
Hi,Nelson. In moments of quiet tonight I decided to check my FB account and came across this link. What good fortune on my part to discover your link to this project. I can only begin to imagine the delight your brought to Geoffrey on Christmas Day and on days going forward. As a superintendent of the public gardens he was an artist as well. I am sure that he will have hours, days and years of pleasure with the joy you have created for him.
Just yesterday, I sat with friends at my dining room table and with joy shared with them the delight I enjoy in hanging you created that graces my window; and, of course at this time it is accompanied by the Christmas pieces you have given me over the years.
Your creative artistry is a gift and has provided gifts of joy to so many. Congratulations!
Mar
Thank you so much for your encouragement over the years, Marg. My confidence grew a little more with every accolade you gave me. That just shows what a great teacher you are! ♥️
What a story and project to end 2023! Your many hours hours of work has shown such a beautiful creation. I loved reading the message from the family who commissioned this piece for Ryan’s dad. They all were truly pleased and will enjoy it for many, many years.
You never cease to amaze me with the projects you have taken on and turned out flawlessly…not to mention your gorgeous ornaments window hangings. And to think it all started with a stained glass kit as a Christmas present from Monica one year!
Thank you, Mae. Yes, Monica is the reason it all happened. I can’t ever forget that. And, thank you for your continuous support. I won’t forget that either