Landscapes work wonderfully well in stained glass. The colourful mosaic pattern of fields, the lines dividing the horizon and sea, the curves of country roads, dark shapes of coppices and woodland…

So I was delighted when I was approached to design and make a landscape piece of the Lambourn valley in West Berkshire. The Lambourn Valley Way runs from the Berkshire Downs near the Uffington White Horse to Newbury along the valley of the River Lambourn connecting the Ridgeway with the Kennet valley.

In the spring the area is filled with fields of beautiful lilac coloured linseed flowers in contrast with bright yellow oil seed rape fields. The client was looking for a special gift for her father’ 70th birthday, who regularly walks this valley with his two dogs.

Using a photograph provided and taking inspiration from landscape painter Anna Dillon, I divided up landscape into a patchwork of colours and patterns.

I choose bright and varied patterned glass to create a vibrant landscape stained glass sun catcher.

The client’s dad was delighted:

“I received the most beautiful birthday present from my children of a fabulous panel Maya did based of one of my photographs of the Lambourn valley. Thank you so much for such a lovely interpretation. It was a surprise and a big thrill… It is hanging in the window right in front of the chair I sit in most often and is a joy every time I look up!”