Contemporary Glass Accents of Robert Dix

When an artist creates artwork for an interior space or is filling a custom-ordered architectural enhancement and contemplates the complex constraints of spatial limitations, they leave the realm of fine art to explore an aspect of interior design.  This is something not all artists deal with, and those that do often deal with such custom designed artwork that a stylized and unique aesthetic of their art progresses as they tackle such variances.


Image courtesy of Jason Roberts and NHOME Magazine


That is exactly what San Antonio artist, Robert Dix has done with his signature contemporary glass relief accents. Not paintings, not stained glass and not fine art sculptures, Dix’s artwork is all his own.  His blend of aesthetically pleasing, calm and fluid organic shapes using traditional stained glass soldering on window glass places his artwork in a category all by itself.  

Having studied stained glass for over 25 years, Dix has experimented with various aspect of this medium from cut and arranged glass layers to organic shapes of glass mounted on the wall to stand alone pieces that become high end home décor.  He now specializes in a newly discovered technique of soldered designs on ordinary window glass, tile, granite, and other interior surfaces that show off his mastered application of soldered renditions of trees, leaves and other nature based themes.
It wasn’t until his recent showing at the spring 2014 Parade of Homes at the Dominion did Dix premier his new series of works. “I just called one of the builders who were showcasing a few of the houses this year and asked if I could put some of my work in the homes for the parade”, he says.  “Everyone liked it”, he continues. Dix exhibited about half a dozen glass artworks in the spotlighted homes on the tour.  “Ever since then, Dix explains,” it has been nonstop. I decided to quit my job at the University Hospital and University Health System and to take the leap and investigate my art full time”, he continues.

Dix’s new career happened by chance. At the beginning of 2014 over 1,200 pieces of art filled the University Health System. Dix was asked by his fellow manager to show the curator his artwork.  As a former employee of the University Health System, Dix was not officially invited into the curated art program of the new facility, something which ultimately launched his career.  Curatorial visits to the studio lead to his inclusion of art into this monumental showcase. However, not all was smooth sailing. Mark Webb, Senior Vice President of Facilities Administration of University Health System had to send an official memo to George B. Hernandez, Jr., President and CEO of University Health System to ask for a Policy waiver request on Dix’s behalf. As an employee, Dix was not eligible to participate in the program. With permissions granted, Dix’s inclusion enhanced his visibility, his reputation and untimely showcased his unique style of art. The policy waiver allowed the University Health System to purchase Dix’s artwork and catapult him into unexplored architectural commissions of his signature aesthetic.

Dix’s collaborations with the hospital are ever expanding.  His next endeavor is a the creation of a 9 foot tree of life sculpture, this tree will be associated with the organ transplant division, and patients who have received transplants through the hospital will have their names stamped into leaves and be added to the tree of life, as an ever changing sculptural element within the hospital with a personal touch of patient interaction and involvement.

In the interiors of houses, Dix’s work takes on accentual roles; working within art nooks, mantels, carve outs and other structural elements within the home.  Lighted from below, above and behind, the imagery extends beyond the glass, casting shadows on the walls, illuminating the space and bringing a multidimensional component to home décor and fine art.

Robert Dix’s unique application of stained glass techniques and calming imagery can be found throughout several interior design stores and high end home accent businesses’ including Copenhagen, Armoires and Accents and others.

For more information on Robert Dix’s custom glass art and accents, please visit his website at www.visionsofglass.com

Written by Gabriel Diego Delgado

View the full article in the Jan/ Feb 2015 edition of NHOME Magazine 


 http://issuu.com/nhometx/docs/nhome_janfeb2015_digital





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