THE STUDIO
COLLABORATIVE CREATIONS
NATURAL ELEMENTS Georgia artists capture peaceful landscapes with stained glass and wood. BY ELLEN KANZINGER
ARTISTS JAROD CREWS AND AARON
Bernardi want to capture nature’s peaceful moments—sitting by the water’s edge or on top of a mountain— through their handmade stained glass and wood-carved sculptures. “I think the world is a hectic place, especially now, and the reason that we make landscapes is because it brings us that moment of escape, sort of a mental vacation,” Crews said. “That’s
something that we want to provide.” The creators behind Cellar Door Trades are inspired by the places they have visited, like the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia where they first met, and places they one day hope to see. Crews and Bernardi create dazzling arrangements of color, light, and shadow. Whether it sits on a table or hangs as a wind chime, their dynamic displays work best in a spot that sees a lot of sunshine. Partners inside and outside of the studio, the two artists complement each other as Crews crafts the stained glass scenes and Bernardi carves the wooden stands and assembles the chimes. “It works because he’s my best friend,” Bernardi said. “We have a unique relationship. We have literally spent every day with each other.” Crews’ interest in glass started at a young age, a part of his childhood that
has turned into his passion. “I remember passing time as a kid during mass staring at these opulent, mega-colorful church windows,” he said. The memories of the light being refracted throughout the space, plus watching his mother work with glass, stuck with him through time in the military and a 14-year career as a stylist, until he decided it was time for a change. Likewise, art has always been a part of Bernardi’s life. His layered wind chimes reflect his fascination with landscapes, especially colorful cosmic skies. In the last few months, Crews and Bernardi have especially noticed the impact art can have on society. Over the last two years, they’ve seen new artists pick up the medium and push the boundaries of how glass can be used. “[The pandemic] forced a lot of us to make a sanctuary of our homes, an oasis amidst the chaos,” they said. “We
J A R O D C R E W S , L E F T, F I T S A N D S O L D E R S T H E S TA I N E D G L A S S P I E C E S T O G E T H E R . P H O T O S COURTESY OF THE ARTISTS
surrounded ourselves with beautiful handmade things and tried to forget the ugly. Glass in particular has seen a big resurgence, which completely took us by surprise.”
The Technique
When it comes to crafting new pieces, Crews and Bernardi rely on their memories and emotions surrounding a place for inspiration. “Our process is very organic,” Crews said. “We don’t spend a lot of time thinking it out and coming up with the designs.” This lack of rigidity allows them the freedom to play with elements that feel right. Spending so much time together has benefitted their work as they rely on each other to get through tough times and moments of creative stagnation.
DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | BLUERIDGEOUTDOORS.COM
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