Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1986.

Artwork copyright Cappy Thompson. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1986.

The Bear and the Honey Tree, 1982

Cappy Thompson
American (born 1952)

Location: River Homelink School, Battle Ground

About the Artwork

Artist Cappy Thompson's The Bear and the Honey Tree is part of a body of "grisaille" stained glass windows inspired by animal fables. This artwork uses familiar imagery to explore the idea of curiosity.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Battle Ground Public Schools.

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.