Archive note: This article was originally published by Amber Dragons on 26 September 2024 and has been restored following the 2026 website rebuild.

Celebrating Beloved Pets Through Stained Glass

At Amber Dragons, pets are understood to be far more than companions: they are family. Two very different stained glass commissions, Rainbow Bridge and Little Fox, were created by Somerset stained glass artist Christine Saunders to celebrate the memories, character and emotional connection people share with animals.

Although each artwork tells its own story, both demonstrate how a personal idea can be transformed into handmade stained glass art through thoughtful design, carefully selected colour, texture and hand-painted detail.

The Rainbow Bridge Stained Glass Panel

Rainbow Bridge was designed as a heartfelt tribute to much-loved pets that have passed away. The familiar idea of animals waiting in a peaceful meadow beyond a rainbow offers comfort to many people following the loss of a companion.

Christine interpreted that sentiment through a bright, uplifting stained glass composition. The arching rainbow introduces warmth, colour and light, while the animal imagery and natural setting make the panel feel personal and full of life. Rather than focusing solely on sadness, the artwork celebrates affection, companionship and the memories that remain.

The composition required a careful balance between the different animals, woodland details, sky and symbolic bridge. Changes in glass colour and transparency allow daylight to alter the character of the piece throughout the day. Hand-painted details give expression and definition to the animals without losing the distinctive qualities of stained glass.

For someone remembering a dog, cat or another treasured pet, a bespoke memorial piece can incorporate meaningful colours, markings, flowers, landscapes or symbols. The result does not need to look overtly commemorative; it can simply reflect the subject, memory or atmosphere that matters most.

Little Fox: A Wildlife Commission

Little Fox was a private commission inspired by the beauty and playful spirit of a fox in its natural surroundings. Christine used warm amber tones, contrasting textures and carefully painted features to create a subject with a lively, alert character.

The fox’s bright eyes, face and distinctive tail form the focus of the design. Softer natural colours in the surrounding glass complement the animal while retaining a woodland atmosphere. This approach gives the fox presence without making the background feel disconnected from the main subject.

Wildlife works particularly well in stained glass because colour and transmitted light can suggest movement, changing weather and the atmosphere of the natural world. Foxes, hares, birds and woodland scenes are recurring sources of inspiration within Christine’s work.

Original Bespoke Stained Glass Commissions

Rainbow Bridge and Little Fox show two ways a bespoke stained glass commission can begin. One grew from remembrance and personal symbolism; the other from a love of wildlife and the character of a particular animal.

Every Amber Dragons commission is individually developed. Customers may arrive with photographs, a favourite subject, preferred colours, approximate dimensions or simply an idea they would like Christine to explore. The design must then be adapted so it works structurally and visually in glass.

Christine considers:

  • the subject and meaning behind the commission;
  • the intended size and display position;
  • the balance of colour, texture and transparency;
  • the shape and strength of the lead or structural lines;
  • the amount of hand-painted detail required;
  • how the artwork will respond to natural light.

The purpose is not simply to reproduce a photograph. It is to interpret the subject through coloured glass and Christine’s own artistic style while preserving the details that make the idea recognisable and meaningful.

Commission a Pet, Wildlife or Memorial Piece

A bespoke stained glass panel can be created around a favourite pet, wildlife subject, landscape, memory or symbolic theme. Photographs are useful reference material, especially where markings, expression or characteristic features are important, but customers do not need to provide a finished design.

To discuss an idea, visit the latest stained glass works and bespoke commissions page or contact Amber Dragons directly. You can also learn more about Christine Saunders and browse the Amber Dragons stained glass shop.

Whether the inspiration is a beloved animal, a woodland scene or a deeply personal memory, the aim is to create original stained glass artwork with lasting emotional and visual value.