Last week, when my friend and super-talented calligrapher, Kathryn, turned me on to a spectacular video about the making of the artwork for John Mayer’s recent album, little did I know she’d be dropping this week’s Lost Arts post right in my lap.Turns out Mayer and Sony Music/Columbia Records hired renowned traditional ornamental glass artist, David Smith, to make the cover art after Mayer’s long search for an artist of his prowess. Take a look at the gorgeous video by Danny Cooke here and watch Smith dance around his studio accompanied by his black pug, while he deftly manipulates the glass to his creative will.

A “puntie wheel” in action cutting into the reverse of the glass.

To say that Smith possesses some phenomenal skills utilizing old-school techniques is a serious understatement. The sheer knowledge of materials and methods Smith employs is astounding. And what Kathryn and I both recognized immediately was the diligence required to complete such detailed works of art.  Simply put, I was blown away. THIS is the type of work that renews my love of craftsmanship again and again.

Reverse painting on glass by David Smith. Original work circa 1900.

Typically used for signage in pubs throughout the United Kingdom, decorative ornamental glass signage is certainly evocative of a particular era. As in the turn of the century, much of Smith’s work is done by hand – from the lettering (which Smith makes look like child’s play), to etching, to painting, to reverse glass gilding. Each of these processes require a steady hand and a vision of a complex finished masterpiece.

Smith removes the residue from the silverstain.

Take a look at this one step by step process on Smith’s website which showcases his lettering, cutting, polishing, coloring with silverstain, firing, and acid toning. Not only does each process require multiple painstaking steps of masking, cutting and removal of protected areas but Smith seems to persevere through each layer of artistry adding a whole new level of dimension and detail to the piece. Keep in mind, this is all done on glass. Ain’t no messing up here.

Smith deftly paints by hand.

Smith’s work is inspirational to me not only because of his skill and adherence to lost techniques, but because of his patience and perseverence. So should you find yourself in the UK, or possibly a few haunts in New England, take a second look at some of these signs from long ago. Remind yourself of the time when they were made painstakingly by hand and the expertise involved in their creation and execution. Then go a step further and ask yourself, when was the last time you gave yourself permission (much less had the patience) to learn, make mistakes, and improve in order to become a true master?

*Featured image from: John Mayer’s Born and Raised album. Original artwork by David Smith. Film by Danny Cooke.