Abby Kovac Arnette (Glass Artist, Mother of Alice and Miles)

What should you listen to while reading this Mother Art Story?

Podcast: Conan O'brien Needs a Friend , Don't ask Tig, Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino (which is a Real Housewives podcast!)

The Family

Abby lives in Lindenwood Park in South City with her husband Michael and her two children Alice (3) and Miles (fresh newborn). Michael works for New Balance, but also dabbles in drawing which Abby has been known to use as inspiration for her work. She actually met Michael while in pursuit of her other love, music. Together, they are are quite the duo! Alice likes to help her mom out and spends a considerable amount of time working with her mom in the studio.

The Early Life

Growing up in Webster Groves, Abby was exposed to the world of glass art at a very young age, as her mother was also a stained glass artist. While her mother worked on making windows in their unfinished basement, Abby would sit close by at her little art table, which was outfitted with all the supplies she could ever need. “She would give me her stained glass patterns books to color in and I remember coloring everything rainbow as usual. I don't remember taking very much interest in what she was doing at the work bench but I vividly remember those pattern books.” As she and her brother grew up, her mother moved further away from glass art so she could be available as a classroom mom at their school. However, cultivating a love of art in the home was something that remained pervasive in Abby’s childhood.

In her 20’s Abby honed in on those fond memories of making art with her mother and began her journey as a stained glass artist. “And I fell in love with it...slowly.”

*“And I fell in love with it...slowly.”*

The Art

The place where the magic happens, be it a studio, a garage, or a small corner of a home office (hello!) is a favorite element of the Mother Artist story. One of the most daunting barriers standing in the way of a Mother who wants to make art is the “But how??” of it all. Abby’s home studio embodies how innovative and creative Mother Artists can be when it comes to getting the job done. We work with what we have. We stretch our resources. Typically, it involves creating a space for little one’s to also make some art, or at least play close by. Abby’s studio is in a small unfinished portion of her basement, shared with laundry machines and her daughter’s art table. “My work bench is actually just some old kitchen cabinets left by the previous owners of the home with plywood laid on top”. Check out the video below for a quick tour of her home studio!

stained glass studio tour

Abby will tell you she’s not a great artist, in the technical sense. “While I was never very good at traditional drawing/painting (and my handwriting to this day is still atrocious haha), I still always enjoyed arts & crafts.” Her stained glass work tells a different story. Initially, she struggled with certain cuts and constantly dealt with the frustration of broken glass. “Michael encouraged me to keep practicing and keep learning, so I feel like I have him to thank for my continued growth as a stained glass artist.” Once again, let us bless the supportive Mother Artist partner!

Prior to chatting with Abby, I admit I knew VERY little about stained glass beyond the small little plastic craft kits you can buy at the dollar store or the iconic Tiffany lamp. If you are like me and know nothing, prepare to have your mind blown. Unlike the said plastic kits, stained glass requires no paint. The glass itself is colored and texturized. Did you know this? I DID NOT KNOW THIS! Abby typically purchases her stained glass locally at Preston Art Glass Studio on Chouteau, but has also been known to visit Kokomo, Indiana to shop the Kokomo Glass Factory. “When I shop for glass, I feel like a kid in a candy store.” Indeed, the glass reminds me of literal candy! Does Abby take Alice with her to this candy store? “I laughed out loud at that one. Glass shopping is me time for sure.”

So how does stained glass art exactly work? It’s an incredibly detailed process, filled with steps and LOTS of danger. (See this video to watch how the Copper Foil process works in it’s entirety.) Stained glass may evoke memories of church or grandma’s house, but I assure you the process to make stained glass is markedly bad ass.

First, Abby starts with a sketch, which she traces from a photo. Then, she goes to town on the entire process, which includes cutting the glass. Interested to know how one cuts glass with such precision? Check out the video below! Abby makes it look easy, but this is actually the step that requires the most nuance and finesse.

cutting

After the glass is cut, she arranges the pieces to create the design she’s mapped out. Essentially, it’s like a puzzle! After grinding and applying the copper edging to the pieces, it’s time to solder. “I do this (solder) while wearing a mask as solder does contain some amount of lead. When I became pregnant with Alice I stopped all glass work as I wasn't sure if it was safe to do while pregnant.” She later learned that certain precautions could be made and chose to continue her art while pregnant with her son, Miles.

We are often faced with the task to reconcile the safety and well being of our children with our passionate drive to create art. Mothers, in all professions or passions, make sacrifices left and right without skipping a beat. It’s always children first, but quickly after we ask “How do I figure out how to do the thing I love?” For Abby, the challenge itself is part of creative process. “I love my work and finding a way to make it work for us as a family.” Her studio has ample space for Alice to work, just as her mom set up for her as a child. She will even give her scrap pieces of glass for Alice to paint! “She always wants to help me.”

Abby’s art is available for sale via her thriving ETSY shop, AK Stained Glass. Some of her signature pieces are commissioned by people wanting to commemorate their special pup. Her affinity for rainbows and color is also ever apparent in her work, which is featured beautifully on her Instagram. If you would like you world turned upside down in the way of what stained glass can be, dive deep into her delicious account! Abby takes commissions of all kinds and has a clear knack for whimsy, light, and color.