Bird of Paradise

It's been a while coming but at last the new project takes shape. The hearth. After viewing all those amazing mosaics in Italy in July I'm trying to blend traditional style with contemporary design and here's the effort thus far. I have to make it in sections as the fireplace makes it a tad difficult!




Phase 1: the bird









Filling in the surrounds










Detail of bird













The right hand side (backside - the bird will face the stove) of the hearth. Now for the otherside! the middle bit is simple - just border and white. I have to work out how best to place a cicada and a bee. I thought of a March fly, leech or a bush turkey but refuse to give them such status!!!!

and here's one of my dear green friends watching me hang up the washing!!

Finally completed and installed. Note the smug look on the face of the best dressed pig, Valentina, on earth!!!
Now for the next project. looks like being an ambitious one!

The grouting: the seat's really starting to take shape!

et voila!!! so thrilled by the final result, but in between time managed to create a little something to take to Nik for her birthday

Valentina's seat revealed, now for the grouting!

Some detailed shots. These were taken before I'd actually finished and tidied up the edges

yay! finished Valentina's seat today..well indirectly. Now to transfer it to the actual seat and grout it etc etc. Quite a lengthy exercise; I learn as I go and by my many mistakes. I work furiously in between classes only to have the master rearrange it all at class! Thank heavens he knows what he's doing! Now to my next project...something small and without curves!!

"Bovine's Rest" by Scott Harrower




I'll just add a close -up and also a photo of the Scott Harrower art piece that Greg gave me for our anniversary. You can tell the master from the very new apprentice!
Am now doing the cartoon for my next project "Valentina's Seat"...something completely different. I'll Keep you posted!

Aztec sunrise

The completed mosaic
In the studio we put a light cement grout and render on the hebel stone to make it look like the mosaic was coming out of the stone.


Well I got it near to finished for Valentine's Day. It was on the stone but ungrouted and I wasn't sure where I wanted to go from there. It looked unfinished. Took it back to class Tues evening and here's the finished product. Yes Greg does love it.

well my eyes are popping out of my head but I'm almost there! The mosaic that is. I have to stop getting these urges to create things at the last minute and plan ahead so that I spend more time on projects in order to master and refine the processes....but here I am again up til 2.30am in order to meet the deadline! Not good for school the next day
anyway here are a couple of shots of the work in progress. It's going to be put on a stone so the design is actually back to front here. Should all come together Monday with the help of the brilliant master Scott..