Client: Tamara Diederichs

Overview

Lotus Gate is hand-crafted from stainless steel, bronze, copper, and fused glass. Design and metal work is by Jay Stargaard and the fused glassed was made by Deanna Marsh. Automobile Lotus Gate 7' x 14' x 9″, Goddess Gate Lotus Pond 7' x 32″ x 8″

Goals

The client had a dream to integrate a lotus and the chakras in the design of the front gate of her new home. Jay Stargaard creates one-of-a-kind sculptures by commission and was able to bring Tamara's dream to life. The combination of stainless steel and bronze were used because they are favored by the client and the primary material used by Stargaard Art. Jay commissioned Deanna Marsh to design the glass used in the chakra system.

Process

I have a deep love of lotus and grow them on my land near my studio in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. When Tamara asked for a Lotus for her entrance gate to her new property, I could see it. Translating that vision onto paper and landing a design concept was smooth. Fabricating the design I drew was by far the most challenging experience of my artistic career to date. I knew Deanna could produce the glass I was looking for so I requested her skills. My requirements for the glass was to be able to hold its color and be dynamic from 4 inches to 40 yards away. Tamara wanted very specific colors and choose them by hand at Deanna's studio. I traveled to two other metal shops in my region to bend and cut some of the stainless steel. Tamara visited my studio twice during the fabrication where some design choices were made. The two gates took 6 months from conception to installation to complete.

Additional Information

I love this project!