Day 105

December 8th, 2009

Today I started mosaicing my "welcome" sign. I'm using WEDI Board as a substrate-I was told to use thinset on the sides to make them strong and not dent-so I did that. I like to put borders around my pieces first to give me an edge to mosaic in. I like the rectangle ceramic pieces from Wits End. I'm going to be using mostly stained glass for this and some mirror for the letters.

I had some thinset leftover so I worked on my birdbath that has been neglected in my studio (I've had other things I have been working on) It was nice to get most of the base done. One tip I learned about was to put a dollop of Weldbond in the thinset to make it a little creamier to workwith also to keep stirring it so there you get more "open time".

I finally put the rest of the silver beads on my daughter's Fleur Di Lis piece and finished that.

I have been also busy getting ready to teach another class in my studio and have some gals have some studio time to work on mirror's or trivets.

Quote of the day

"Without a free, vigorous and creative mind, man is but an animal, and he will die like an animal, without any shred of a soul".

Day 97

Day 97 of my mosaic year!

December 1, 2009

Well I took some days of because of Thanksgiving and some other commitments.

So back at it!

I have been spending some time on organizing my studio a little more. I cut down some large sheets of stained glass and put them in containers to organize by color. I also hung my latest piece "classy blue" in a window.

I've had a roadblock with my installation piece "counter/bar" the plywood piece that I had all cut and painted may be too thick-so I'm still figuring out what thickness and how much tile I need and since I do not have the frame here I have to wait til Thursday when I am on site to figure that out.

Soo.....I started a project that I have been wanting to do-a Welcome sign for my studio. It took a few hours to come up with a design and colors that I like but I think what I came up will work out nice. I thought I'd have this project going since I can't work on the other one everyday.

Quote of the Day (I'm reading this book right now)

"When you begin to feel the Universal rythm in which everything on earth moves, you begin to understand life." -Lust for Life by Irving Stone

Song of the Day

Fantasy Impromto

-Chopin

Day 88

Sunday, November 22, 2009

This weekend I finished mosaicing/grouting my picture frame. I used a premade frame, used stained glass, ceramic tile, mirror, marbles and some metal charms. It took me 11 hours from start to finish-it was a fun little project to do. This will be a nice present for our art guild gift exchange.

I've also been working on sealing the plywood for my 1st attempt at an installation project. I've been sketching how I want the andemento to layout and still are deciding on what looks best-this may take awhile. I bought some tiles at Mosaic on a stick (Laurie is soooo helpful there) she showed me the best ways at cutting the tiles. It's nice to know these tips since I normally use stained glass in my projects.

Here's a pictures of the space for the installation (with the metal frame installed-waiting for the mosaic) and the plywood substrate. I used kilz to seal the top and painted the bottom black. It is 8'7" long and 23" at the deepest part. I'm thinking of using the direct method since I'll be working on site.

Quote of the day

"The soul speaks its truth only under quiet, inviting and trustworthy conditions."

-Let your life speak

Day 84

Wednesday , November 18th, 2009

Today I worked on my picture frame for a few hours-it has been fun to do a small project. I've decided to start marking down my time I work on each project. This was suggested at one of our mosaic guild meetings. It will definitely help when figuring out how much time it takes to do certain projects.

I also finally received the frame for a counter/bar mosaic I am doing-I had it custom made to fit in a window area. So....the fireplace is on the back burner as I start to plan out what design and tesserae to use for the counter. This will probably be the biggest challenge I have had. The counter is 8 feet 7 inches long and 23" deep at the widest part. I also need to make sure that the top is flat. Here are pictures of the metal frame and one of the designs I came up with so far.

Quote of the day

"Before I tell my life what I want to do with it, I must listen to my life telling me who I am." -Let your Life Speak

Song of the day

10,000 miles by Mary Chapin Carpenter (I like her style of storytelling)

Day 83

November 17th, 2009

Today I grouted my piece and used white grout. I decided with white since most of the background is white. I need to make sure next time that I put enough adhesive on the tesserae since I had a few pieces come of when I was grouting. I am starting to not hate grouting as much since I have become more experienced.

I also started on a small picture frame that will away in a gift exchange-hopefully it will not take that many hours. I would like to start on a big installations project. There is a fireplace that I have been wanting to mosaic-it is pretty plain and needs COLOR! So that is my next challenge.

Todays Quote

"One cannot find peace in work or in pleasure, in the world or in a convent, but only in one's soul." W. Somerset Maugham, The Painted Veil

Day 81!

Sunday November 15, 2009





Today I finally finished mosaicing my piece. I'll probably grout it tomorrow.
I like how the andemento turned out-I was not sure if it would be interesting enough by just using white in the background but I think there is enough interest with the different shades of white. The biggest challenge on this piece was getting it to be symmetrical-it ended up being a little off in the flower area - hopefully by grouting it won't make that area stand out even more.

My next project is a small one-I belong with the art guild in my area and we are getting together next month for a holiday party and we need to bring a piece of art to exchange. I was thinking of mosaicing an interesting picture frame in a monochromatic color theme. I don't think it will take long and may even be fun doing a small piece.

Quote of the day
"Because you do only get one life, and if someone can give you a tour of a road not taken, why would you not seize the chance." -Ann Marie MacDonald

Song of the day
"Regrets" by Mendelson (it's one that I've been practicing on the piano and has wonderful emotion to it)

Day 69

November 3rd 2009

Wow I can't believe I have not blogged in 11 days!

My class went very well. Everyone really enjoyed it and were a little overwhelmed with all the information-I am still that way! It was 2 Saturdays the 1st one I gave them a handout with all the information I typed up and called it ,"Mosaic Basics 101 class". Talked about Tools, Tesserae and Technique. They then started working on thier mosaic on glass, using a variety of tesserae.

The second saturday they grouted-I was so impressed that they all finished! They all looked great! One gal though was having issues with her pieces lifting while grouting-the pieces were very jagged on the bottom so we were thinking that the pieces just did not adhere properly-I sent her home with more stained glass and I'm sure it will turn out great after because she had such a nice design going.

I am still working on my piece-just started the background I am doing the ademento in Opus musivum style. I wanted to have this finished at the end of October-Oh well. I also have my daughters piece almost done, I ran out of metal beads that are going on all the diamond corners.

Just wanted to say good luck on the CMA's Competition 7 to all who participated!! It will be fun to read the comments.

Quote of the day

"Look at what you love to do. Look at what brings you joy. Look at what gives you peace. There is your calling, waiting for you to imbrace it."

Song of the day

"Gymnopedie No 1" it is a beautiful piano piece I have on my Ipod.