Spyder Mountain duo

The studios of Patti Brennan and Bob Lucking studios are a stone’s throw from each other, but the nature of their art is far apart.

High atop Spyder Mountain and not far from the village of Sperryville, you’ll find two highly talented artists who will be opening their studios for the first time on this year’s 12th annual Rappahannock Artists Studio and Gallery Tour.

The studios of Patti Brennan and Bob Lucking studios are a stone’s throw from each other, but the nature of their art is far apart. She’s a stained-glass artist; he’s a fine wood furniture-maker.

Patti arrived in Rappahannock County from Colorado 35 years ago, drawn by its scenic beauty and rural way of life. A selftaught stained-glass artist, she has been exhibiting her work at galleries and studios in the area for many years — and she has now opened her studio, De’Danann Glass Works, for the annual artists tour.

Patti’s unique and multifaceted process combines etching, silk screening and hand painting, and gives her stained-glass pieces a level of detail and intricacy that sets them apart from more traditional works. Her glass is found in numerous churches, private homes and businesses. Deeply involved in the community, where she raised five kids, Patti teaches, works with young children and helps inspire new artists to develop an entrepreneurial spirit that will help them succeed in the art world. Her website can be found at patti-brennan. squarespace.com.

Bob Lucking came to Rappahannock County from Cape Cod in 1988 at the invitation of famed local furniture-maker Peter Kramer. After working with Kramer for several years, he struck out on his own, building a post-and-beam studio/workshop on leafy, secluded Spyder Mountain. After 35 years making furniture, cabinets and repairing boats, Bob can make “anything out of wood.”

Working with clients from the concept stage to the finished product, his unique furniture design style is influenced by his years “boatworking” on the Cape. He incorporates smooth curves and intricate wood layering in his unique artistic rendering of distinctive woods. The visual simplicity and beauty of his furniture belies his complex production process.

BY BOB HURLEY (ABOVE); PATRICIA BRENNAN (RIGHT) Patti Brennan’s stained-glass pieces, including “St. Patrick,” are created with a level of detail and intricacy that sets them apart from more traditional works.

BY BOB HURLEY (ABOVE); BOB LUCKING (LEFT) Bob Lucking in his studio, where he can make “anything out of wood,” including this horseshoe table.