About Lee
I bought my first book on stained glass in my pre-teen years. As I paged through the book, I thought how cool it would be to create a stained glass window one day. For more than 20 years, I pursued interests in architecture and sculpture. Then, in 1998, I finally had the opportunity to take my first stained glass class. I was hooked. From then on, I created stained glass pieces at every opportunity.
In 2008, I opened Klade Werks, a studio that specializes in creating stained glass panels and lighting for homes and businesses. I work with architects, designers and builders, as well as private individuals, to create stunning custom pieces. My work appears in private collections across the United States and in Italy, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Australia and Japan.
My art work is influenced by a broad range of design schools spanning the history of stained glass in the United States and Europe. Nature is a common subject of my work. I also create pieces influenced by architectural styles and purely abstract pieces.
I work with the “Tiffany” copper foil method and the traditional lead came method. I enjoy experimenting with warm and cold glass methods and traditional glass painting techniques to create a feeling of dimensionality in my work that is absent in what is typically referred to as stained glass. Assembling these pieces often requires a great deal of creativity, and I find it to be a rewarding challenge. Whether it’s slumping a panel over a clay mold to create relief, letting the billowing sail of the ship come out of the plane of the window or using traditional glass stainer techniques to create shadows and light, these effects give unparalleled visual drama to my pieces.
While my subject matter and techniques are varied, I consistently strive to produce pieces using materials and techniques that ensure lasting beauty and longevity.