Reviving a vanishing art form has become a passion and a business for Leucadia artist Roderick Treece, owner of RLT Custom Glass Signs and Mirrors in Leucadia, California.

Utilizing both nineteenth century techniques and modern technology Roderick creates one-of-a-kind antique mirrors. Part of what makes each piece unique is that the artwork is in the mirror, it's not just a mirror in an elaborate frame. Indeed, his custom mirrors feature a broad range of textures, colors and finishes. "I can make a mirror look as if it has been passed down for generations."

The wonders of history and travel have always inspired artists. Travels to Portugal, Latin America, Italy and Indonesia clearly influence Rodâ''s ability to creating unique antique mirror designs. The back painted glass of the Café Florin in Venice, the guilded signs of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, and the glass art of Bali, compelled Rod to research and revive these glass techniques that were in danger of becoming obsolete. Handmade antique mirrors have been popular throughout history. Ancient mirrors were just pieces of polished metal, but they evolved into expressions of romance and beauty. Research shows that mirrors used in Greco-Roman times and throughout the European Middle Ages were disks of metal -- bronze, tin, or silver -- that reflected light off their highly polished surfaces. From the late 17th century on, mirrors--and their frames--played an increasingly important role in room décor. Mirrors have long been used to create an illusion of space.

Roderick is among a small group of artists that have devoted themselves to the preservation of classic techniques of glass art. He customizes his mirrors using inlayed abalone, mother of pearl, colored crystals, gold or silver leaf, sandblasting, etching, glue chipping, and reverse back painting. All of the decorative treatments are applied to the back of the glass, to be appreciated through the smooth reflective surface of the front of the glass. Practically any material can be utilized to create an original artwork. "I enjoy working closely with every client to create a piece that makes a statement. One client asked me to design a mirror for his home bar. I created an antique style mirror with the family name reverse back painted on the glass. He loved it. It's timeless and will be treasured by the family for years to come".

Roderick Treece has been creating custom glass signs and mirrors for over twenty-five years, but even as a little boy he knew this was his calling. Treece's father was the director of the graphics department at world famous Knott's Berry Farm. "I used to go to work with my dad in the morning and wander around for hours unsupervised. Eventually, the security guards would drag me back to my dad's sign shop, and for the rest of the day, to keep me out of trouble, he'd have me repaint perfectly good signs, under the guise that they needed a color change."

Whether inside or outside, framed or unframed, custom antique mirrors are available in any shape or architectural design. RLT Custom Glass Signs and Mirrors has taken on the challenge of bringing antique mirrors to life.

For more information contact Roderick Treece at RLT Custom Glass Signs and Mirrors. www.customglasssigns.com

About the Author

A native Californian, Kathy has been an outdoor enthusiast, environmentalist, world traveler, writer and a lover of water sports her entire life. Besides her outdoor pursuits, runs her own Internet Marketing Services Company - Waterdancer.com.