Publisher's Synopsis
Through Life's Storms, the Studio Was a Beacon of Light... When Walt's eye and heart are captured by two beautiful but damaged stained glass panels, he couldn't have dreamed of how they would impact the course of his life. The Studio is the story of Walt's journey with the art of stained glass, as he and his daughter enroll in a class with the idea of repairing the panels, but soon find themselves completely immersed in this fascinating craft, with Walt, who never considered himself an artist, even showing and selling his work. But when Walt is 69, life has some unexpected surprises for him. The expected death of his loving mother is followed by the tragic death of Sandy, his beloved wife of 40 years, and shortly after that, his brother. Walt stays focused during this year of loss-and then he and his daughter Stacey embark on a year-long adventure of travel and spending, leaving a lifetime of penny-pinching behind. Their wonderful trips to Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and the Caribbean culminate in a memorable Christmas in Hawaii. The road ahead has another detour in store for Walt, as Stacey's unexpected illness causes him to pull up his roots in Washington and move to southern California to help her. Through it all, Walt's love of art and the joy he finds in his studio help him to keep his perspective, and find inspiration and a reason to carry on during the hardest times. This candid, warm memoir will resonate with everyone who has experienced love and loss...and everyone who has found their center in a creative pursuit.
