A Tragic Loss

I am compelled to speak of the tragic fire on December 2^nd where 36 people died many of whom were artists of various talents. The Los Angeles Times did an article on the people that died and interviewed family, friends, or colleagues that had known them. http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-oakland-fire-victims-2016-htmlstory.html

 As I read this article, I kept hearing about people who were kind, caring, quirky, fun-loving, thoughtful, and talented. Many had come here to the Bay area and stayed because they had found a place where they were accepted and encouraged to be themselves. Some people want others who are different to fit into a mold that “society” says is the “norm” and try to sell it as “you can be so much more”, but trying to fit into someone else’s or society’s mold only makes you less. It is soul crushing. 

The Institute of Mosaic Art started out in a converted factory off the Fruitvale exit not far from the Ghost Ship warehouse, and that is where the comparison ends. Fortunately, Laurel True and her partners were able to update and renovate the Institute. That is where I started taking classes in mosaics in 2005. I was in a precarious emotional place at the time, and this warm and caring artistic community welcomed me and gave me a safe haven to heal. There were no expectations that I needed to fulfill. 

At first, I felt like an impostor as they immediately referred to me as a mosaic artist, but then I started to evolve into my own style (still evolving) of artist, and realized that if others see you a certain way and encourage you to be what you so very much want that you eventually will become some form of that. And by some form of that, I mean that we are all different and a true expression of self is unique.

In this way, I feel a kinship with these struggling artists who found a safe haven where they could be free to laugh, dance, and celebrate their incomparable selves. My heart grieves that they had to die in such a manner, and to all of you who lost a love one in the fire, I am so sorry for your loss.  

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE!

I hoped that when I started my college classes I would have time to work on my mosaic since I was flowing (and glowing ;) with inspiration, but no not at all. I looked at my last post on July 4th and was stunned that all this time has gone by. Here is where I am now with the mosaic.

As you can see I added more to the leaf design, and an embellishment to the design to the right of the leaf. I may remove that since I am not sure I added it because I really wanted to or because I felt I had to do something and splat! There it is. Now, I am sure about the key design, even though I just barely started it.

But the good news is: I started it! That sometimes is the hardest thing; deciding on the glass. I almost wish sometimes that I didn't have so much glass to choose from, but not really.
This mosaic started as a piece that was going to have an orange and red background with all the designs emerging from the background. But now I can honestly tell you that I do not know what the background will be. I am going to trust the process and let myself go with whatever glass and patterns speak to me. Art can be like life; you cannot force it to be beautiful, harmonious, or joyful; you just show up, put your heart into what you are doing and hope for the best.
I am cramming for my finals that are next week. When they are done I intend to throw myself into my mosaic and finish it, finally. I have prepped a butterfly-shaped base for my next mosaic. But we will see...
I have the feeling that when I get back into this mosaic, its intoxicating possibilities will draw me in and I will not be able to think of anything else until it is finished. I hope to have it finished before Christmas or the New Year. Let's see what happens...

New Vision with Old Work

I started this mosaic awhile ago, but I got stuck. Now I know what I want to do with it. Actually, I already started. The leaf was only the orange stained glass and the gold lizard charm. My initial thought was to make the leaf all orange, but my new vision is as you see it and with another leaf  on the right side.

 I added a drawing of a key that was inspired by a 100 year old French key.

As you can see, I changed the key's shape to fit my vision. Art is not about duplicating, but about expressing the way you see the world. I am beginning to understand what my mosaic vision is: it is the way that I would like the world to look if it were made up of glass, gems, beads, charms, found items, etc... Aha moment.

 When I started to do this leaf I felt a shift taking place inside my thought process. Excited to be taking a risk, challenging myself, and believing that I have nothing to lose if it goes terribly wrong. Working in this beautiful medium, my missteps are glittering works of art. How cool is that.

 Of course, I would prefer not to make a misstep, but that is impossible. Life and art are rife with faux pas. Why would anyone want to keep creating art when you know it could all go so terribly wrong? For me, it is the adventure, and believing that this is what I am meant to do; to express myself in glass.

The sun has finally set. I can hear the fireworks beginning to go off.  Happy 4th of July! Hmmmmm how would I express that in glass...

Repurposed Mosaic Debut

Parts of a much-loved bracelet that disassembled (and in doing so broke my heart) has found a home in this mosaic. It is very vibrant and changes colors as the light changes. It is so captivating that everyone who has seen it expresses their delight in it.

Right after finishing a mosaic, it takes me awhile to look at it without seeing the parts that gave me a hard time, or imagining how I would do it differently next time. As it sits in my windowsill with other mosaics, it will begin to establish its identity as the small mosaic that contains pieces of a bracelet that I once loved, and is a newly adorned and adored creation that I can enjoy. That is the main goal of my work; to put something out there with the sole purpose of giving pleasure to the viewer.

I have started working on a mosaic that I started a few years ago. It started well, but then I lost momentum and focus. I picked it up the other day and saw how I was struggling with new choices back then; however, I also had a new inspiration for finishing the piece. I had recently been in an antique store in Pleasanton where I purchased an antique 130 year old French key. I traced this key onto the board, and ideas are still flying around in my mind like butterflies in a field of daisies. It is exciting!

 I need to clean up the piece then I will take a picture and post it so you can see the difference from where I stopped to where I am now heading. A new mosaic journey; how cool is that...

 

2nd Life for Beloved Bracelet!

We have all purchased jewelry that we love, and have had the thing break and fall apart! How many of you threw it away in a moment of pique or put it in a bowl to mourn the loss of this favored bauble? I did the latter. There it sat on my work table for months.

 I was looking for something while working on the button mosaic, and my attention was diverted to these pieces of what used to be my bracelet. A tiny picture frame like the one used in the button mosaic was sitting right there, so I started placing parts of the bracelet here and there. I liked it! I was intrigued with the colors, and started digging around in bead containers, and then glass containers. Three-fourths of the mosaic was completed in the first day. Deciding on the lavender background and working that took more time.

 When you are working on glass, you glue down your pieces, and then you have to move away from it while it sets up or you run the chance of messing up the pieces glued down while working another area. Especially on such a small mosaic as this, you have to take your time to avoid mistakes.

As you can see, the mosaic is not yet finished or grouted. It is interesting to see the image in the photo does not do the piece justice. It is sitting here on the desk sparkling and reflecting light. I wish you could see it.

I have not decided what I am going to do next. Hummingbirds have been popping up on my walks, so it may be time to pay homage once again to my mysterious friend. As soon as I have a template I'll post it. This time I really will. If you have a particular idea for a mosaic let me know and who knows your idea may be just the inspiration I need to create my next mosaic. In other words, I need all the help I can get, my friend.

Popping Buttons!

My daughter, Christi, gave me vintage (1930's) buttons for Mother's Day. Of course I get inspired to create a mosaic with these beautiful unique objects at first sight. I had just purchased two small picture frames, and I started to play with the placement of buttons on the glass of the frame. After I decided on which buttons I wanted to use, then I created the drawing and template for the mosaic.

 The buttons were to dominate the mosaic, so the butterfly (I decided) must be delicate and simple. I wanted to add a touch of whimsy and mystery, and that is how the addition of the beads floating through the mosaic came into being. Christi said that she liked the beads, but she was not sure what they were. I said, "They are beads." I knew what she meant, but that is the thing about art; it may reflect reality, but especially with my mosaics, fantasy and whimsy trumps reality.

 The mosaic is only, approximately 2" x 3" with a powerfully colorful presence. I used the delicate millefiori to compliment the beautifully crafted button in the lower left-hand corner, and around the beads on the butterfly's wing.

I really had fun working with these buttons, and giving them a new purpose of adornment. I have a large assortment of vintage buttons, so this is only the beginning of their presence in my mosaics.

Temple Eleohant Completed!

Finished!! This mosaic was made for a friend of mine. She picked the colors and the theme came to me as it sometimes does with people I know well. And she is delighted with the idea of an elephant. She has not seen the completed work, but I believe she will be happy with her new mosaic. I hope so, anyway.

I always learn something new with every mosaic. If I had grouted the background in a darker grout, then the elephant would have stood out more. With the lighter grout throughout, the elephant blended more with the background. However, the mosaic is very serene, and has a calming effect. This particular frame is not that conducive to grout, but it was not my choice, so I did my best.

I am starting another mosaic. It is a small one. I am using some of my newly acquired buttons, fun! I will probably do a couple of small 4x6 mosaics with the buttons before I move onto a larger piece with a tapestry theme. I will be placing a hummingbird in flight in the center.

 I have not placed a hummingbird in a mosaic for quite some time. The other day when I was out walking, a red-crested hummingbird flew up to me and hovered in front of me for a minute or so. I believe she was requesting a portrait. How do you say no to a hummingbird? I cannot. So, it's a done deal; she will be in my tapestry mosaic.  I have not started the drawings yet, but the images are starting to manifest in my thoughts, so it is only a matter of time before they spill out onto paper. Then the drawings will become a template which will be placed on a substrate to be made into a mosaic.

I get so caught up in it all once the drawings start that I forget to take pictures, but I will try to remember, so that you can enjoy the journey with me.

New Elephant Mosaic without Grout

It is always so interesting to see a mosaic before it has been grouted. This elephant is in the courtyard of a temple and the raised trunk means "good luck". I will give more of the back story when it is posted as a completed piece. The sun is coming from the side and striking the glass and gems and lighting them up! Otherwise, the colors are very calm and soothing; strange what light does to mosaics.

Java is Here!

Meet "Java the Elephant" mosaic! This mosaic has many different kinds of glass, beads, and gemstones to dazzle the eye with. He is my first elephant, but not my last. I am currently finishing another. Although, the other elephant is completely different which you will see for yourself very soon. Next I will be doing some small mosaics that incorporate some fabulous buttons I have purchased. Yes! I said buttons! I love incorporating unusual found items into my mosaics, so when I saw these buttons on Etsy; I thought "Why not?" I get these great ideas, and then I have to come up with a design that has some chance of working...we'll see.

 Okay to be honest the reason I love mosaics is that even when it goes terribly wrong; it still looks good. Occasionally, I take some of my mosaics to exhibit while doing a presentation and people will ooh and ahh over some of my mosaics that are full of technical errors, but the glass is lovely and sparkly, this may be the first mosaic they have seen, and you know, people are nice for the most part.