Artwork copyright Richard La Londe. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Richard La Londe. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Richard La Londe. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Garden of Life, 2000

Richard La Londe
(American, born 1950)

Location: Ptarmigan Elementary, Orting

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Garden of Life is a two-part glass wall sculpture by artist Richard La Londe. It uses natural and fantastical animals and other characters to symbolize and represent the vibrancy and energy of life. Of his work La Londe notes, "I enjoy creating colorful fused glass murals that cause chuckles, smiles, and thoughtful reflection."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Orting School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Glass artist Richard La Londe creates elaborate glass murals that are pictorial narratives full of symbolism and color. He is also known for his glass handkerchief vessels.

La Londe grew up in Vancouver, Southwestern Washington. In 1972, he graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a degree in Geology. He immediately started making art and worked odd jobs. La Londe is a pioneer in the fused glass movement. He was one of the initial artists in the 1980s to work and experiment with Bullseye Glass Company's colored glass for fusing. He has taught glass fusing at the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington, as well as around the United States and Canada. Today, La Londe lives on Whidbey Island in Northern Puget Sound, Western Washington. His work has been exhibited and commissioned internationally.

Describing his technique, La Londe notes: “I outline the design on a clear piece of glass by applying a thin line of powdered glass that is suspended in a gum medium. Then I lay crushed colored glass into the outlined areas in a manner similar to sand painting. This is fused in a kiln, cooled, flipped over, and fused a second time producing depth.” The basics of this fused glass technique dates back to ancient Egypt, 3,500 years ago.