Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1999.

Tree of Life, 1999

Cappy Thompson
(American, born 1952)

Location: Washington State Patrol - District III Headquarters, Union Gap, Union Gap

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Tree of Life is a laser-cut steel and "grisaille" stained glass window created by artist Cappy Thompson. She created it for the Washington State Patrol Headquarters in Union Gap, Washington, along with another laser-cut steel sculpture called 'Yakima Valley Parade.'

This composition features many plants, flowers, animals, and human figures. The design shows the interconnectedness between all living things. The "Tree of Life" connects all forms of creation, and it is a story found in many cultures all around the world.

To create the design, Thompson input her drawings into a CAD (computer-aided design) computer program. This program translated the drawings to a laser-cutting machine. She then filled the laser-cut figures with colorful stained glass.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Washington State Patrol.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Celebrated Seattle-based glass artist Cappy Thompson creates rich "mytho-poetic narratives" in her vibrant and animated stained-glass artworks. Her site-specific installations draw imagery from myths, poetry, and personal expression.
To create her vivid and detailed scenes, Thompson often uses a glass painting technique called "grisaille" where black line drawings are painted on glass, which is then fired in a kiln to make the line drawings permanent. Grisaille has existed since medieval times (approximately 450-1450) and is what you often see in stained glass windows in European churches.
Thompson received a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Western Washington in 1976. She has taught at art and glass programs around the world from Mexico to Australia to Germany, as well as locally at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington, and Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle.