Glasspainter
Illuminating the translucent beauty of stained glass
Name John K Clark
Age 43,
Occupation Artist
Site name John K Clark - Glasspainter
Site address www.glasspainter.com
Hardware Notebook, 128 Mb RAM and Pentium II
Software HomeSite 3 and 4.5, Paint Shop Pro 6, Laplink FTP
Q How long have you been using the Internet?
I've been using it for the past three years.
Q
What's your site all about?
I'm a glasspainter, more often referred to as a 'stained glass artist'. Almost all my work has been commissioned for specific
buildings and projects. I created this site to let people see what it is that I do, and how I do it.
Q When did you start designing the site?
I began with a simple site in December 1998 and replaced it with the first version of the present site about a year later.
Q How long did it take you to build?
It probably took about two months, but it's an ongoing process. At the moment I am reworking the present site using CSS, and I
will soon be rebuilding and expanding the entire site to place it on my new server.
Q
Why did you dedicate your site to this particular subject?
Although my work is represented in books about stained glass, this only ever shows a finished work and goes into very little detail.
On the Internet I can present my work as I want to with no editorial restraint. When I give lectures about my work, people
are fascinated by the design process: how a concept is developed and the process of making a window. On my Web site, especially
in the slide shows, I try to give the sense of an informal lecture.
Q
What was the most difficult part in creating your site?
It was hard to achieve the general layout and consistency of the site. Creating the form and the slide shows were also quite tricky.
Q
How long do you spend updating the site each week?
It depends if I'm working on a new project. If I am, then I'm probably doing an 'in progress' slide show and possibly a report
to let clients follow the making of their commission. For me, this is one of the best uses of the Net. It also allows visitors
to see something new and in progress. During these times I update that section every day or every second day.
Q
What makes your site special?
I wanted to create a space that enables the visitor to see the work at a similar quality as if they viewed the works in reality.
My site is a quiet space - there's nothing flashing or distracting your attention. The site shows the work I do and nothing else.
Q
What sort of feedback do you receive from visitors?
The feedback is almost always extremely positive, although I have had one Web site designer who sent me an email to tell
me it was rubbish. She also said that I should get her to design it properly!
Q
Do you have any tips for other readers creating a home page?
Have a clear concept and overview, with easy navigation. Don't do too much too soon.
Q What are your favourite Web sites?
I don't really spend much time browsing as I am usually looking for something:
www. music-sites.net www.britannica.com www.wine-pages.com