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MUSC radiologist sees colors beyond black and white

by Cindy A. Abole, Public Relations

Dr. Stephen Schabel in his workshop, surrounded by the tools, sheets of glass, and molds he uses when creating stained glass art work.

Throughout his work day, Stephen Schabel’s eyes are trained to focus on a narrow field of black, white and grey images. 

His work confines and challenges him to interpret hairline fractures, cysts and other medical anomalies as he views dozens of X-ray images against a translucent white light or terminal screen. Schabel is a radiologist by profession. 

In contrast, Schabel has spent countless hours of his spare time observing light through different colors. He cuts and shapes odd pieces of glass with a keen eye that has produced dynamic and colorful table lamps, framed window pieces and other works of art. 

Schabel is a crafter of stained glass art, moulding mosaics in rich colors.

In a corner of his garage on James Island, Schabel pulls out sheets of dichromic or colored glass that measure an eighth of an inch thick. Several sheets with the same flower leaf design is already outlined on the glass. Using a glass cutter, he scores and cuts out the delicate leaf patterns and gently places them to the side. 

Although his interest in stained glass work has flourished only recently, his fascination with the art is deeply rooted from an earlier childhood experience. At age 6, he accidently fell and slashed his wrist on a Coke bottle. “It was pretty traumatic,” he said, remembering his mother’s reaction. “There was blood everywhere.” 

He has been fearful of glass ever since. 

But the fascination with glass was stronger than the fear. In 1982, Schabel enrolled in an evening craft class that featured stained glass art sponsored at James Island High School. He learned the technique under Lewis Lilienthal, a Lowcountry artist. “From that class, I learned that stained-glass making is a craft that can be learned easily,” said Schabel. “I’ve come to realize that the pieces I’ve created represent little legacies. At some time, they can be passed along to my children and grandchildren and will last a long time.” 

Working with glass helped inspire his admiration of 19th century glass maker and interior designer Louis Comfort Tiffany. 

Among his first glass creations was the artist’s tribute to his alma mater, the University of Chicago. The piece featured the collegiate crest which shows a bright red-orange rising phoenix. Schabel presented it to his father in 1982 who was also a Chicago alumnus. Today, the piece rests in his office since his father’s death. 

Many of Schabel’s lamps are patterned after Tiffany’s art nouveau glass creations. He is able to purchase some of the same Tiffany lamp cartoons or pattern designs through mail-order. The lamp’s design is usually shaped by a section or panel. Since the panel design repeats, one lamp style can be composed of six or more of the same panels soldered together. 

A stained glass lamp is usually distinguished by its design. Because of its composition, scored glass breaks naturally in long, straight lines. Therefore, geographical shapes like triangles and rectangles take less time to cut and prepare. Rounded and curved-shaped pieces take more time and must be cut more carefully. It took Schabel a full-day to create the Tiffany-styled, smooth-bottom American Indian table lamp, his favorite piece. Meanwhile, projects like the 18-inch Wisteria lamp, a piece that is composed of more than 2,400 glass shapes, can be created within two to three weeks. 

“Working with glass is an opportunity for the creator to be both artist and painter,” said Schabel. “The palette of a painter is limitless. Besides color selection, a creator must focus on texture, design and how light will affect the overall image.” 

The glass pieces are and set on a styrofoam form or mold. Using the same technique begun by craftsmen in the 12th century, glass pieces are numbered and individually wrapped in copper foil set on a form and soldered together by a lead/tin solder. After all the panels are completed, they are gathered together to create the full lamp. 

So far, Schabel has created more than 20 lamps for family and friends. Although he doesn’t produce requests, he has presented certain pieces as wedding gifts to former students and gifts for special occasions. Like most artists, Schabel shares an affinity to his creations. 

“When I give one of my pieces away, I feel like a part of me is being given away.” Through the years, he’s managed to share his talents with others including residents and colleagues. He’s been careful to caution them. The work can be difficult, habit forming and time-consuming.