Mosaic Road . . .

Building Discipline

2012-01-19T09:05:00.000-06:00

I tell myself that completing this project will make me stronger. How I miss color! This black and white sign will be striking, and the original logo of this company IS black and white so therefore ..... but I must say, I long for color and I will be so happy to complete this project and get back to color -- blue, gold, red, orange, green, and most of all, Purple!

South Austin Music WIP - white glass done and starting black glass

2012-01-14T18:14:00.001-06:00

I was ill with Cedar Fever for 27 days; no lie. Some days I stayed in bed all day. Some days I glued two or three pieces of glass and then went back to bed. I am well now and making progress; tomorrow I start with the border and the black glass background.

Happy Holidays

2011-12-24T17:30:00.000-06:00

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

I have cedar fever and have been in bed for four days and have missed my deadline on the South Austin Music mosaic but I am still having a great holiday. I think the worst is behind me now and tomorrow is Christmas Day!

South Austin Music WIP

2011-12-16T09:11:00.001-06:00

Left half of sign, stained glass on Wedi. The sign will be 6.5 feet x 5.5 feet. The M becomes hands that are playing the guitar. The lettering and all the design are white stained glass and the background will be black stained glass. The plan is a random crazy-paving mosaic on the white areas and orderly, horizontal waves on the black background. The Wedi will be bolted to the original sign.

Quote

2011-12-10T19:47:00.002-06:00

"He who works with his hands is a Laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is an Artisan. He who works with his hands, his head, and his heart is an Artist." ~unknown

Outdoor Sign is now on the back porch

2011-11-23T08:39:00.002-06:00

Billy and his friend Dave delivered the South Austin Music sign earlier this morning. I have everything I need to start work. Today is Wednesday before Thanksgiving so I will be baking pies today and getting my hair cut and will celebrate the traditional holiday tomorrow with family and friends. Friday I will begin the mosaic and I'm so looking forward to it.

Preparing for the next big project

2011-11-21T10:20:00.000-06:00

I just added a tip to this page: http://mosaicroad.blogspot.com/p/instructions-tips-and-tricks.html

I have spent the last several days organizing, clearing off the back porch, and getting ready to start on the sign, which will be delivered tomorrow!

Ready for the next project

2011-11-18T15:24:00.001-06:00

Just got back from Blue Moon Glassworks with the black and white glass. I took some time to look around Jim's and Rose's shop and was so happy to discover that they have added MAC glue to their inventory and Wedi board (!) (my favorite glue and my favorite substrate). They carry everything a mosaic artist would need. I bought 2 firesticks to use as strings for the next mosaic guitar. I plan to spend this weekend cleaning and organizing; getting ready for Thanksgiving and the upcoming mosaic project. The granddaughters are out of school for a week (yay!) and we will be gearing up for the Thanksgiving meal. The sign is coming on Tuesday and I will be multi-tasking (baking pumpkin pies and homemade rolls and nipping stained glass).

New Project - Outdoor Sign - South Austin Music

2011-11-14T07:47:00.000-06:00

This morning I'm on my way to Daltile for two 3'x5' pieces of Wedi board, and then to Blue Moon Glassworks to order 60 pounds of glass for an outdoor sign for South Austin Music.

The Cow Jumped Over the Moon

2011-11-11T11:48:00.002-06:00

Had to come back and include a closeup. Left-click once on the picture to enlarge.

Space Mosaic Done

2011-11-07T13:04:00.002-06:00

Three panels, totaling 7 ft x 2 ft. (Left-click on pic for a larger view.)

Space Mosaic Center Panel Done, 4 ft x 2 ft

2011-11-02T14:36:00.005-05:00

These pics are all of the center panel. To view closeups, click on a picture, select "show original," then click on the picture again to enlarge. Note the cow jumping over the moon, in honor of CowParade Austin.

Space Mosaic WIP center panel grouted!

2011-11-02T11:20:00.000-05:00

I grouted the largest piece yesterday. Black grout is the devil's own grout, but it sure looks good once you get it cleaned up. My fingernails will have to be clipped short although I did wear gloves and I coated underneath my nails with bar soap before I started . . . still the grout stained my hands! So the grout looks good but I am not going to post a pic until I get some metallic paint on it. That's what I'm doing today. So much fun.

Space Mosaic WIP - ready to grout

2011-10-31T16:22:00.002-05:00

Click on the image to enlarge.

Ready to grout with black grout - then metallic paint and some touches of GLow In The DarK paint! Seven feet long, two feet high. I am happy with it. Earth - Saturn - Mars - Black Hole! Sorry for the glare on the bottom third.

Ready to put the space mosaic together

2011-10-27T08:58:00.003-05:00

I spent yesterday preparing the substrates. I am using three gallery-wrapped canvases; the center one is 24" x 48", and there will be one on each side measuring 18" x 24", so this will be a horizontal installation measuring 7 feet long and 2 feet wide. I flipped the canvas over so the back is now what I call the front. I glued pieces of 1/4" birch plywood to the front of each canvas, using Liquid Nails, and then placed wood screws at each corner. I clamped it all together and left it overnight. Remember, I already have the mosaic done on mesh! so it should go quickly.

Little River Band

2011-10-21T21:55:00.010-05:00

Just got home from a Little River Band concert at the One World Theater. Their performance was great; such energy; they really put on a good show and everybody had a wonderful time. Thanks! (The tickets were a gift for our anniversary.)

Lisa's painting final 24x36

2011-10-21T14:58:00.004-05:00

Delivered this yesterday, October 25, and it looks so good in Lisa's office on a buttery gold wall. I think she will have it framed in black.

Painting for Lisa

2011-10-10T16:08:00.005-05:00

or a cropped version:

Space Mosaic nearing completion

2011-09-24T19:44:00.005-05:00

Left-click once, then left-click again to enlarge.

Currently covers about 4 feet x 4 feet, and probably will be rearranged; it's just randomly laid out in these pictures. Also, the camera's lithium batteries died so these are just regular batteries until I can get to the store. One needs to envision the pieces all blended together with more black glass; the finished piece shouldn't have a hint of the squares. So exciting to be near the end. Still considering the substrate, framing and hanging issues. After grouting and sealing, there will be some metallic painting going on, including the awesome suggestion of my good friend Cathy, who thought GLOW IN THE DARK paint would be cool!

It's raining!

2011-09-16T14:22:00.000-05:00

Lovely beautiful cold drenching rain! (It's probably been 100 days since we've seen rain.) Yay I am so happy!

Still more mosaic butterflies

2011-09-15T12:43:00.001-05:00

Another mosaic butterfly

2011-09-15T08:39:00.003-05:00

Help, I can't stop. These are so much fun to do. This one is 9 inches wide, made from a vintage plate with touches of gold.

Fires are burning all around

2011-09-05T08:02:00.008-05:00

Yesterday's fires are still out of control today. We are surrounded by fire in all directions. Bastrop, over 14,000 acres and more than 300 homes destroyed. Steiner Ranch, Spicewood, Pflugerville, La Grange, Liberty Hill, Hayes County ... sending positive thoughts to our brave firefighters; how exhausted they must be. They are dealing with conditions caused by the horrible drought, over 100 degrees every day for more than 70 days, high winds, no fire hydrants; it is mind-boggling. We have our bags packed in the front hallway and we watch out the windows in the front and the back and watch the news scroll across the bottom of the TV screen and scour the internet for information. It's frustrating when the link feature doesn't work, but here's the address for info on the Texas fires. http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/information-on-fires-in-central-texas

Happy Birthday, Freddie Mercury

2011-09-05T07:50:00.007-05:00

Freddie would have been 65 today.

Don't know why I can't post a link today, but paste this in your browser, http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/happy-birthday-freddie-mercury.html?spref=fb

Butterflies butterflies

2011-08-24T11:32:00.004-05:00

After making butterflies for the Calusa Nature Center, I couldn't stop. This one is now installed on our house, to the left of the front door. The edge tiles are all the same, an iridescent grey, but the reflection makes two bottom ones look different. It's installed directly onto the stone, using mortar (thinset). (Left-click once on the image, then again to enlarge.)

Could I have a refill, please?

2011-08-21T21:08:00.002-05:00

(click on the picture for a larger view)

As you probably know, Texas is suffering from a drought and 66 days straight of over 100 degree heat. Every morning I fill the birdbaths with ice water for the squirrels and birds.

This afternoon we noticed this little squirrel lying in the birdbath staring at the house for a long time. I took a bowl of ice water out and of course he immediately ran for the trees. The birdbath was dry so I filled it and hoped he would come back. Poor baby!

Space Mosaic - Earth in progress - still needs work

2011-08-01T18:44:00.004-05:00

(click on the pic and then click again to enlarge)

More Butterflies to Fly to Florida

2011-07-30T08:22:00.008-05:00

Couldn't resist doing more mosaic butterflies on mesh. Yesterday a dear friend gave me a bag of costume jewelry. Check out the butterfly bodies! They were part of a cuff bracelet and each link is made of three black faceted glass beads set together in metal. Two butterflies are red-orange stained glass and two are dichroic glass, one predominately pink and the other lime green. The dichroic glass didn't photograph well but the glass is fabulous.

(click on the photo to enlarge)

Space Mosaic - Saturn almost done

2011-07-13T10:45:00.007-05:00

Saturn will be a small part of a large mosaic (perhaps 9 feet by 3 feet) that depicts a tiny portion of the universe and will include planets, spiral galaxies, comets, and other heavenly bodies. For inspiration, I visit the Ministry of Space Exploration website and gaze in awe at the magnificent images of outer space.

(a detail pic, a large Austrian crystal with a tail of crystals, located on the far right in the larger pic)

I think this mosaic will be a triptych; I toyed with the idea of triangles but I'm not sure that shape is conducive to outer space. I like the idea of a large circle also. It will probably consist of three equal squares, hung close together side by side.

Mosaic Butterflies to fly to Florida

2011-07-08T20:43:00.007-05:00

Here are the steps to make a mosaic on mesh and ship (ungrouted) to its final destination where it will be installed and grouted as part of a larger mural. The artist in Florida (Eve Lynch) will trim away the mesh from the edges of the design. These butterflies and many many others will form a cloud of butterflies at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium.

Note that on the blue butterfly and the orange butterfly, I pieced together two scraps of mesh. Just overlay one piece over the other and glue together.

Step 1 -- a design on paper.
Step 2 -- the paper overlaid with a piece of clear plastic such as a sandwich baggie.
Step 3 -- the paper and the plastic overlaid with the mesh.

Mosaic onto the mesh, buttering each tile with glue by dotting the back of the tile with glue but not covering the entire tile. Continue with this procedure until your mosaic is finished. Allow it to completely dry. Peel the mosaic on mesh free of the plastic. Sometimes it's easier to turn it over and work from the back, and sometimes it helps to peel at an angle. I like to turn the mosaic over, free up a corner of the plastic, place my hand over the mosaic, and then jerk the plastic off quickly.

Step 1 - a design on paper

Step 2 - clear plastic over the design

Step 3 - mesh layered on top of the plastic

Another community project

2011-06-28T11:37:00.007-05:00

Eve Lynch of Kraken Mosaics is planning a wonderful community project, a cloud of butterflies. I will be making three butterflies on mesh and mailing them to her for installation and I will show the progress here.

Her website is http://www.krakenmosaics.com.

ACEO cards

2011-06-27T18:31:00.006-05:00

I'm still working on the space mosaic -- just finishing up the Saturn mosaic and ready to move on the last and most difficult: Earth. Meanwhile, I listed 17 ACEO cards on eBay (seller Silvamae) and someone on here asked me to post some art other than mosaic so here are some of the ACEO cards I listed:

ACEOs are 2.5" by 3.5" collectible art cards. Stevie Ray is my favorite guitarist so I did a little portrait of him; Neil Young is one of my husband's favorite artists so I did one of him; I love doing little music cards. Some of my mixed media cards are created using wine labels that I carefully soak off the bottle and affix to the card and then embellish with borders, and I also enjoy creating cards using bits of carefully trimmed cigar labels. Feedback welcome! (as always)

Space mosaic - WIP 6-11-11

2011-06-11T11:18:00.014-05:00

(left-click on image to enlarge and then left-click again to enlarge further)

Here's what I have on mesh and ready to install, an area about 2.5' x 3'. I estimate that I have about half a cow's worth right now, and next I plan to work on the Earth, Mars, Saturn, and a large comet.

To explain how these pieces will be used: A mosaic on mesh can be trimmed into any shape that's needed. Right now these pieces are 12"x12" squares, but the goal is that, after installation, there will be no hint of individual squares, but rather, the mosaic will be blended into one harmonious whole. A mosaic on mesh can be installed on a flat surface, or onto a moderately curved surface, such as the body of a fiberglass cow for the CowParade. I am toying with the idea of several separate pieces, such as a triptych, and what I am really interested in is stretched canvas, in the shape of 3 triangles, each framed with black metal.

Hand-poured stained glass, Swarovski crystals, vintage costume jewelry, glass beads, pearls, 24K plate rims, pique assiette

Space mosaic work in progress

2011-05-27T14:21:00.005-05:00

Here are pieces I've finished so far, little vignettes that will be used as filler around the planets and the large comets. (Click on the picture to enlarge, and then click again to enlarge further.)

These are done on mesh (netting), the largest ones being approximately 12 inches by 12 inches. This technique will save me hours of work; it's a simple matter to glue the mesh piece to the cow and the piece will conform to the cow's curves. I order this mesh from Wit's End Mosaics and apply the tess to the mesh with MAC glue. I wrote a how-to article about this method: http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-mosaic-on-mesh

Glass Tumbling for mosaic project

2011-05-22T19:12:00.005-05:00

Today I began tumbling glass for the big outer space mosaic project. I have cut round shapes for planets and ground the edges smooth. I nipped bits of glass and 24K plate rims using Leponitt glass nippers. I loaded one barrel and tumbled the glass for 35 minutes. It came out great, shiny with smooth edges. I was concerned about the iridescent glass and the 24K gold-plated porcelain but it was fine. This first load was a test. I loaded up another barrel and started it, noting the time. I got busy with supper and granddaughters, etc., and suddenly realized that the tumbler had been going for almost an hour. I dropped everything and ran out to rescue the glass. It was still in good shape; the iridescence was still there and so was the gold.

These pieces will be used to mosaic galaxies and nebulas and comet tails. I decided today that I will write a Hubpage giving detailed instructions on how to tumble stained glass. When I publish it, I will come back here and post the link. I am having a great time, putting together all the tess for this large and wonderful project!

Still haven't heard from the CowParade, but if my design is not selected, I will use all these pieces in a large wall hanging with the same theme. So either way, I am anxious to get started!

Purple mosaic guitar, bumped up

2011-05-03T13:42:00.014-05:00

Favorite of my mosaic guitars; looking at it makes me want to do another one. The textured stained glass, stars, the wings, the dichroic strings ... a few of my favorite things. I am waiting to hear that my cow design is approved. I have started cutting circles of stained glass to represent the planets and today I am creating the comet's tail on mosaic mesh. I ordered 40 sheets of mesh last week, enough to cover a life-sized cow. I love the fabulous look of outer space and I recommend the link to the Ministry of Space Exploration at the right -- fantastic photographs and a mind-boggling video called Epic Voyage Through the Universe.

Mosaic tequila bottle, finished

2011-04-20T16:06:00.005-05:00

(Before and after -- click on the photo to enlarge)

Sea Journey with oak frame

2011-03-29T13:20:00.000-05:00

I like this better with a frame; it looks more finished now ... (click image to enlarge)

Granddaughters, 2011 Spring Break -- Spa Day

2011-03-23T14:49:00.002-05:00

Passion

2011-03-19T15:55:00.000-05:00

Passion - framed and ready to hang: (click to enlarge)

Sea Journey

2011-03-19T15:52:00.001-05:00

Completed and ready to hang: (click to enlarge)

(Note added 3/23/11) Since this photo was taken, I have added an oak frame and will post a new picture when I buy batteries for my camera.

Sea Journey

2011-03-11T21:51:00.001-06:00

Click to enlarge . . . The first photo shows the framed canvas turned over, Wedi installed, mosaic applied onto the Wedi. I liked working with this canvas because it is unusually deep so I can use all levels of tesserae. Note the drapery glass. The blue glass in the upper right is rolled back onto itself, and makes me think of a wave. The second photo shows the stained glass frame added. Next I will grout using sand-colored sanded grout.

March - in like a lamb!

2011-03-02T16:07:00.002-06:00

Okay! March is here. Yay! In my last post I complained about the bitter cold weather and how it sapped my creative energy. Well, after the weather improved, we all came down with the flu, which lasted about ten days. I started feeling human again yesterday. So here's a photo of the tequila bottle that I amused myself with while waiting for a bolt of inspiration, and also a photo of a pendant I made for a friend's mother. There's a story behind this pendant. Her mother was moving to a smaller place and weeding out stuff. Her friend had mailed her a tea set from Japan and it arrived with half the pieces broken. She started to throw it out and my friend said, "Wait, let me have that for Silva; she mosaics." So we ordered two silver plated pendants from Etsy and I cut a couple of pieces from the tea set. The pendant she chose was a large square and the image captured in it was a white sacred crane on a chocolate and bronze background. I didn't get a picture of it. This is the other one; the one I kept. The tequila bottle is ready to be grouted. I am going to wrap a heavy duty textured ribbon around the neck and paint it.

I am about to get busy again. A friend is having an open house in April called "The Art in Women" and I will have a display table there. The fifth graders at Bee Cave Elementary will be creating a mosaic bird bath for their butterfly garden and I will be helping with that, starting about the middle of March. So it's time to shake off the winter doldrums.

Just do it

2011-02-11T15:52:00.000-06:00

The recent cold weather has really done a number on my creativity. I schlep around in my pajamas with a blanky wrapped around my shoulders and do nothing but snack and watch TV. The unusual cold just hangs on and on. I can't seem to get started on my next big mosaic piece. So I just grabbed up something totally unplanned and glued a piece of stained glass onto it. It's a short squat squared-off tequila bottle and I'm covering it with translucent blue drapery stained glass. Would show a picture but haven't got to the drugstore to buy camera batteries. It's supposed to warm up and I will get moving again.

One of my favorite quotes (Fitzgerald)

2011-01-12T09:44:00.003-06:00

"The Moving Finger writes: and, having writ,
Moves on . . .

Rhythm and Blues mosaic guitar, purpled

2010-12-29T11:49:00.002-06:00

Just for fun

A new hubpage inspired by a mosaic

2010-12-22T14:55:00.002-06:00

My latest hubpage celebrates the joys and trials and tribulations of our lives, represented by ribbons and threads of colors that make up the Tao, the flow of the universe:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Our-Spirit-River.

More photos of my latest mosaic, "Sea Floor"

2010-12-15T10:56:00.003-06:00

Sea Floor (click to enlarge the view)

16x20 wall hanging

Closeup of my favorite area of the mosaic: Squid passage over sea floor (once a silver earring, now turned upside down and with glass tentacles added, now a squid). Note: the tentacles dangle.

Abstract on Wedi board

2010-12-13T17:53:00.007-06:00

Here's a closeup:

Here's the full view, framed (click to enlarge):

This is what the wall hanging looks like from the back:

This is the canvas, reverse side, with the Wedi installed and a skim coat of thinset applied.

Artist canvas turned over with a piece of Wedi inserted and siliconed into place

This is a 16"x20" artist's canvas, pre-stretched and "gallery wrapped." The canvas is not stapled to the edges of the wooden stretchers, but nicely wrapped around and tucked in the back. I measured the Wedi to fit into the cavity formed by the back of the canvas and inserted and installed with silicone around the edges. Then I applied a thin coat of white thinset. I applied the tesserae with MAC glue. I used more of the wonderful hand-poured Vancouver stained glass, parts of terra cotta house numbers, Swarovski crystals, costume jewelry, glass beads, polished amethyst, shells, broken plate, the footer from the back of a plate, and beach glass from Hawaii. I grouted with charcoal grout and then randomly painted the grout here and there with metallic acrylic paint. Finally, I installed the piece in a picture frame, and installed eyes and wire near the edges of what was the front of the canvas but is now the back.

I developed this method because I wanted to use the light weight Wedi board instead of a heavier substrate, because I worry about hanging something really heavy on a sheetrock wall, and with this method I don't have to worry about a specialized hanging system; I just install little eyes and wire as on any other picture. (An added bonus is that the hanging looks so neat and finished from the back.)

Wedi board - my first time to use it.

2010-12-03T13:01:00.005-06:00

I purchased two large pieces of Wedi board from Maryland Mosaics almost a year ago. I finally got brave enough today to cut out a piece. I used an Exacto knife and it wasn't too difficult. The cement coating chips a bit but I am going to seal the edges with thinset anyway so it doesn't matter. I have come up with a new way to hang the finished piece; first I want to seal the edges and install the Wedi in something else (a secret right now) and then I will take pictures and post detailed instructions (if it works). I'm excited.

Wedi is a light-weight substrate that looks like rigid styrofoam covered with mesh and then coated with a thin layer of stuff that looks like cement. I want to use it because of its light weight. I can do a large wall hanging without worrying too much about the weight. So we will see! I will post an update shortly.

I am nipping plates and bowls for the birdbath and still thinking about the design. Although I haven't posted much lately, I'm working! Today I grouted a beautiful pink stained glass and Swarovsky crystal picture frame, and then cut out the Wedi.

Here's an interesting discussion about Wedi that I participated in last spring:

http://www.thathomesite.com/forums/load/stainedglass/msg1213403330145.html?40

More later.

Mosaic Gazing Ball

2010-11-19T16:06:00.004-06:00

(Click on the photo for a larger view)

I just published an article on how I made this mosaic ball:

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-mosaic-a-styrofoam-ball

Cat on mesh, ready to leave for Florida

2010-10-29T09:57:00.005-05:00

(This first picture is after the installation.)

Here is the little kitty cat, all done and ready to be mailed today. I wish I could go to Florida too!

See the previous post which describes how to mosaic onto mesh.

I finished gluing the tiles last night, waited several hours, then s-l-o-w-l-y peeled the mosaic up and away from the plastic-covered cutting board. It works best to peel at an angle; start at one corner and peel upward toward the opposite corner. Then I laid it upside down for the night to make sure the glue dried thoroughly.

Now I am ready to package and mail. I have cut two pieces of heavy cardboard a little larger all the way around than the mosaic, and I will place him between the cardboard pieces and tape securely. Then he goes into a flat rate mailing envelope and off to the post office.

Mosaic on Mesh

2010-10-27T14:29:00.005-05:00

I am working on a small mosaic on mesh and taking photos as I go. The cat was a glass piece that someone fused and it wound up at Goodwill. I have cut it into pieces, head, collar, body, haunch, and two front legs. (I know, I know!) I have added a background including a butterfly, using stained glass, and a border of tiles (which will be shown in the finished picture).

Here's how to create a mesh mosaic. First we have an old wooden cutting board. Any hard, flat surface will do. Cover that with a large baggie (trimmed and opened up so that it is one flat layer). Tape the baggie securely to the board. Under the baggie I placed a white piece of paper the size I want the finished mosaic to be. I'm using that as a guide. On top of the baggie, I have laid a piece of mesh. I take a tile and butter it with a dab of glue and attach it to the mesh. When it's all done, I will wait until the glue is dry and then carefully peel up the entire mesh mosaic from the baggie. Voila, I have a mosaic that is ready to be glued to a surface and then grouted.

This mosaic will be installed at the J.H. Messina Children's Center in Fort Myers, Florida. The Center is transforming their outdoor environment into a Natural Playscape and several outdoor walls will be covered with mosaic work (of which this will be a tiny piece).

Candle picture photoshopped

2010-10-15T08:51:00.001-05:00

Here's my glass-on-glass candle mosaic, Five Candles, and here it is Photoshopped, Five Candles in the Wind. I'm just procrastinating this morning. Click on each image to enlarge.

My article won!

2010-10-13T14:20:00.001-05:00

THANK YOU to all who voted.
http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Create-Mosaic-Art-A-Guide-for-Beginners

Here's the email I just received.
Hi Silva Hayes,
Congratulations! With 42 percent of the vote, your Hub was selected by the HubPages community as a winner! Excited? We are!
Your profile picture and an excerpt and link to your Hub will be included in today's weekly HubPages newsletter that is sent to over 60,000 HubPages community members.
Let me be the first to congratulate you and encourage you to continue to write such wonderful Hubs. You're an example for all Hubbers who are getting started and an encouragement to “veterans” as well.
We hope that you continue to enjoy writing at HubPages and participating in the community. We certainly enjoy your work.
Congratulations again, and we look forward to seeing you around.

What next?

2010-09-28T22:53:00.005-05:00

I had planned to feature the opening of the original Hawaii Five-0 TV show on my next guitar. But now I'm torn. Just listened to Huey Lewis Heart of Rock and Roll (one of the best bands and best songs ever) and I can see a Heart of Rock and Roll mosaic guitar ... hmmmmmm.

Across the Universe mosaic guitar

2010-09-27T13:36:00.008-05:00

Click on the image and click again to see more detail.

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe

This one has it all, mirror tile, vitreous glass tile, costume jewelry, dichroic glass, stained glass, flat glass marbles, leather bolo, dichroic stringers, glass beads. Note the Crab nebula (for my daughter who is a Cancer) and various spiral galaxies.

Conquistador Guitar done

2010-09-21T13:08:00.003-05:00

Click on the photo and then click again for a larger view.

Conquistador guitar ready to grout except for strings and tuners

2010-09-06T11:23:00.003-05:00

Conquistador Guitar wip, gluing underway

2010-09-04T16:33:00.005-05:00

Click to enlarge.

Still need to mosaic the neck and add the tuners, which will be cool raku blue beads. I need to drive all the way to North Austin to Helios Glass and buy the dichroic stringers that will represent the strings of the guitar (and combine that with lunch at Chuys). I plan to use black grout.

How to mosaic - - see the column on the right

2010-09-03T11:00:00.009-05:00

I just discovered the Pages feature on this blog and I'm excited about it! I plan to add instructions and tips often; located at the top of the right-hand column. If you have any question and/or suggestions, please email me: silvahayes at gmail.com

Hawaii Five-O, the original

2010-09-02T07:34:00.012-05:00

My next mosaic project is a guitar inspired by the opening theme from Hawaii Five-O, the original, of course, composed by Morton Stevens and performed by the CBS Orchestra.

Best score ever. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepyGm9Me6w&feature=fvsr

Conquistador Guitar wip, cutting and layout

2010-08-31T09:47:00.007-05:00

I have the 24K gold plate rims glued. Everything else is still loose. I wish I had matching orange medallions to place on either side of the axe head but I'm probably going to go with his silver shield on one side. Mingling with the flames will be mottled light and dark blue Bullseye stained glass.

Here's a photo showing the tool I use to cut the flames, a Toyo oil hand cutter TC-600, available at stained glass shops. I score the glass free-hand, use a Fletcher tool (looks like pliers) (also from stained glass shops) to put pressure on the scored line, and voila the glass pops apart right where I scored it (well, almost always).

If you look closely at the 24K gold plate rims that encircle the face of the guitar, you can see how I nip in an alternating slant instead of a straight cut. This helps to go around the curves.

Conquistador Guitar wip, gathering materials

2010-08-26T13:20:00.006-05:00

I start with the theme, the song Conquistador, written and performed by Gary Brooker and Procol Harum. Then I decide on the colors, and next I pick out a few pieces to expand on the theme. I come up with a design, loosely, in my head, and start to cut and glue. I'm thinking axe head, stallion's saddle, angel's wing, silver shield, turquoise and blue, the colors of the sea, contrasting with the dramatic reds and oranges of Spain, all framed by the 24K gold of the plate rim.

Click on the photo and then click again to enlarge.

Monarch butterfly on mesh

2010-08-26T10:03:00.006-05:00

This was done some time ago but I'm am posting it here just because. I made this piece (size 3 ft. x 3 ft.) to be the center of a larger installation at the Bee Cave Elementary Butterfly Garden created by Ken Coffelt. It's a magical place, in front of the school but off to one side, with stonework beds and plants that attract butterflies. The medallion in which the Monarch is installed is about 5'x5' and is framed with tiles made by the children who were in fifth grade at that time. I made this at home and transported it to the school in my van on a piece of cardboard and pressed it down into thinset, then grouted and sealed.

©2008, Silva Hayes, Monarch Butterfly

Bumping up photos of mosaic stairs

2010-08-21T12:18:00.012-05:00

Completed August 2009. My largest mosaic project so far:

These stair risers are mosaiced onto Plexiglass rectangles with a hole drilled in each end of each one. The risers were installed after all the work was completed. The mosaic is a mixture of stained glass, vintage jewelry, broken plates, and various bits. Little children love to slowly climb them and point out snails, fish, butterflies, dragonflies, and turtles that live near the water.

Works of Art at Benini Sculpture Ranch

2010-08-16T08:29:00.014-05:00

In the lobby at the Benini sculpture ranch, a LaPaso kinetic sculpture, balanced so perfectly that it is in constant motion:

Outdoors, a giant mirror head:

One of the great things about this place (after the works of art, of course!) is that the gallery itself is air conditioned, and the outdoor sculpture is viewed while inside your car. Miles of road loop around and the sculptures are installed on both sides of the road. There's little or no traffic and you can stop in the road, roll down your window, and take pictures. A great road trip for August in Texas! From Austin, take Hwy. 71 west to Hwy. 281, then south on 281 to Johnson City, then Hwy. 290 west for a mile and a half, and watch for the metal Longhorn sculpture; turn left at the Longhorn and follow the signs to the sculpture ranch. http//www.sculptureranch.com/index-intro.html

Music inspires me to mosaic

2010-08-03T12:13:00.007-05:00

Last night I dreamed about this song and now I am going to think about it while I mosaic my next guitar. See my list of favorite links on the right. Conquistador, Gary Brooker, what a talent ...

Rhythm and Blues Mosaic Guitar

2010-06-28T18:09:00.016-05:00

Please click on the picture to see detail and then click again to see even more detail:

Galveston vacation

2010-06-20T09:19:00.007-05:00

Click on picture to enlarge.

surf:

cottage hammock:

Moody Gardens rainforest:

Jamaica Dream

2010-06-19T12:46:00.003-05:00

We went to Galveston Island this week; just got back. We stayed at a cottage called Jamaica Dream. It is adorable. Small, spotlessly clean, bright beachy colors, and nice fixtures and appliances; everything you need, plus a darling little backyard with a picket fence, flowers, and a hammock! Hot sun, cool ocean breeze, we had a good time. The beach was covered in sea grass but the granddaughters had a great time body surfing. We will go back! Now I am inspired to mosaic again.

I just got a cool old guitar

2010-05-25T08:02:00.004-05:00

I am still working on the head, a little at a time. I nipped and tumbled two more barrels full of glass, all small pieces and with the points nipped off.

I am starting a new project to run concurrently with the head, an old 12 string guitar that has a few holes and cracks in it. The theme is going to be (loosely) a blues club from the twenties. I will use mostly blue stained glass along with some special tiles. I think the two ladies (nipped from a porcelain vase) look as if they are sitting in a club listening to the blues. It is intended to be a birthday gift for a special guy. MUST have it done by the end of June.

2010-05-17T14:03:00.003-05:00

Working on this head a few bits at a time. I see that I must nip and tumble lots more glass. I plan to pop off some of the red-orange glass on the nose and also on the chin and replace it with random colors here and there. It's time-consuming since it's so rounded. I have received some puzzled looks from family over this one!

Click to enlarge:

You're not from around here, are you? Alien WIP

2010-05-12T14:37:00.002-05:00

Mosaic Glass Head, WIP

2010-05-10T13:06:00.002-05:00

The head will sit on a lighted base. The glass came from Vancouver, WA and every piece appears one color when not backlit and a totally different color when backlit.

Vancouver glass picture frame 5x5 finished

2010-04-13T09:46:00.003-05:00

Finished this yesterday; I am now ready to tackle something large! I love this glass; it is so yummy. I will be sad when it's all used up. Grout is painted with metallic acrylic paint.

Spider web with dew

2010-04-07T09:52:00.003-05:00

It's warm and overcast here today and when I looked out my window, I saw this jewel in the grass. Note the cunning little roof over her front door. So inviting. Click to enlarge the view.

I found a life sized glass head at a garage sale!

2010-04-06T16:23:00.005-05:00

I will mosaic this fabulous creature using translucent stained glass and display it on a base.

Mosaic talk at Bee Cave Elementary today

2010-03-31T15:50:00.005-05:00

It was So Much Fun! Ms. Henry and Ms. Cunningham invited me to visit their Art class today and show some mosaic pieces to Ms. Childress's and Ms. Stowe's fourth grade classes (42 kids). The kids were wonderful; such enthusiasm! I took the mosaic guitar entitled Texas Women in Music, and the glass-on-glass picture called Five Candles. I took my tools and showed them how to nip glass and smooth the edges. They were full of questions and compliments; what a great time! Thank you, Bee Cave Elementary!

Wedi - now what do I do with it?

2010-03-25T08:56:00.005-05:00

The Wedi (weedy) board is here! so I am considering the possibilities . . . I got two 30" x 36" pieces . . . I have been thinking a lot about shapes of things that hang on the wall; what is appealing to people. We are accustomed to squares and rectangles. Our eye also recognizes certain other shapes such as an oval or a guitar so that's acceptable for a wall hanging. But do I want to cut up the Wedi (just because I can?) Or just mosaic a large square? I have been wanting to do something in three repetitive shapes that fit together as a whole. But I don't want it to be complicated to hang. So it still needs to be one unit but appear to be three. Hmmmmmm.

Maryland Mosaics order - gift from my friends

2010-03-17T13:56:00.005-05:00

My lovely and wonderful friends, the Waid Women, gave me a gift certificate from Maryland Mosaics for my birthday in February and my order came today! MAC glue, new Leponitt glass mosaic cutters (wheeled nippers) and Kathy included a little goodie bag of beautiful mini-tiles, one is a bag of crystal sparkly glass tiles and the other is a bag of ceramic tiles. Oh and what are those strange little thingies in the upper left? Why they are Wedi Board Wall Installation Kits! What is Wedi? Wedi (pronounced Weedy) is a mosaic substrate that is light-weight, can be cut with a sharp knife, and can be used outdoors (or in). I ordered Wedi from her also and it will be shipped separately. On her website it says that the hardware must be attached to the board before you begin to mosaic. So this will be a new experience for me, actually Planning Something before starting it! More about the Wedi later . . .

Stair risers (by request) completed in 2009

2010-03-12T09:30:00.009-06:00

I will give a talk and demo about mosaic art to some fourth graders on March 25 at Bee Cave Elementary and I will take these photos with me. These stair risers are a real attention getter; various delivery people and workers, neighbors, people selling candy bars - - they are all so interested and complimentary. Thought I would post these pics again (and hopefully I will do something productive soon so I can post some new pics)!

The top eleven:

The bottom five:

Bought supplies today!

2010-03-06T17:42:00.004-06:00

Went to Helios Glass today and bought: black Bullseye glass, thin glue, glass powders (metallic copper, olive green, and lime green), thinfire kiln shelf paper, fiber paper, and some dichroic stringers for my next mosaic guitar. I am going to try the ''fossil vitra'' tutorial posted by Paul on the Helios Glass website, and try making some cool tiles with a black background and shapes of real leaves. I learned from Karen that I should not stack shelves in the kiln; that I should just stick with one, and that the thermocouple should be in position above the shelf (I had it positioned below), and that one should always paint the kiln floor and the shelf with kiln wash, even if one is planning to always use the thinfire kiln shelf paper. Next time I want to buy enamel paint but held off on that today. Now all I need is some cheap hair spray and I will be ready to make my leaf fossil tiles!!!

Got a kiln yesterday!

2010-02-23T10:05:00.003-06:00

It's a Paragon Caldera and my friend Cathy and I bought it together. We will take turns with custody (maybe switching every month or so?) as it is very easily transported. I am so excited. We will probably start off with fusing glass, making our own tiles, and we are both interested in PMC (precious metal clay) so we shall see.

Vancouver glass picture frame 4x6

2010-02-08T15:35:00.003-06:00

Made this with scraps from the same glass as the candles picture.

Candle picture finished - click to enlarge the image

2010-02-02T09:32:00.007-06:00

©2009, Silva Hayes, Five Candles

I changed the border from tiles to randomly shaped cobalt blue stained glass and removed the backing. I am happy with it!!

Candles, stained glass mosaic wall hanging

2010-01-20T13:52:00.004-06:00

First, a framed print from a thrift shop. I removed the back and discarded the print and replaced the mat and the backing using a tool that shoots points into the frame. I used GE Silicone 2 clear for windows and doors and working from the front, I siliconed the glass to the frame. Next, I will mosaic directly to the glass, again using the silicone as an adhesive, then grout, then seal, and voila, I will have a piece that is already framed and has a hangar on the back. I am using some of the special Vancouver, WA glass for the candles and background, and a translucent vitreous glass tile nipped into halves for the blue border. Right now, I am tumbling all the glass and tile for about 45 minutes in the rock tumbler, just to smooth the sharp edges a bit. I will probably use pale brown grout and will probably paint over it with metallic paints.

WIP - Space themed guitar

2009-12-27T19:35:00.006-06:00

This guitar will feature my favorite theme, Outer Space. Tesserae include stained glass, vitreous glass tile, glass globs, vintage jewelry, leather bolo, rhinestones, crystal, and glass beads. I need to add strings (probably will use dichroic stringers again) and then it will be ready to grout! I received two old beat-up guitars for Christmas gifts and a cracked mandolin, and recently my friend gave me a beat-up child-sized guitar, all ready to mosaic, so I am happy. CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGE.

Our little wild fox

2009-12-23T19:39:00.003-06:00

Her mom was hit by a car and this little fox and her twin brother live on our property and we feed them. Isn't she beautiful? She is cautious, yet will still approach to a distance of about four feet. She trusts my granddaughter and will almost eat from her hand. Please click on the image to enlarge and better appreciate her beauty.

Christmas Puppy Daisy

2009-12-22T12:23:00.004-06:00

This has nothing to do with mosaics but I can't resist! Here's our little Christmas puppy Daisy; she is now just 2.5 months old. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Glass Totem/Obelisk done!

2009-12-08T16:02:00.008-06:00

Looking west:

Looking south:

Looking east:

(Click on each photo for a larger view.)

Glass totem ready to install . . .

2009-12-07T09:38:00.002-06:00

It is cold here, v. cold. I am waiting for a warm day in order to silicone the pieces together. The base (pictured below) has been installed on a sand and concrete base and has endured rain, snow, and freezing weather, and has not been knocked over by deer. Hopefully the sun will come out one day this week and I can complete it and post a picture.

Glass Totem body grouted, another view

2009-11-20T14:10:00.002-06:00

The sun just came out so I took another photo:

Glass Totem body grouted

2009-11-20T13:20:00.003-06:00

It's raining today and about 60 degrees, perfect weather for grouting on the back porch. Here are two views of the largest piece of the four-piece glass totem-to-be. (Click on the photo for a close-up.)

Mosaic picture frame

2009-11-15T14:49:00.003-06:00

I am close to finishing the glass totem but I've temporarily stopped working on it and am making picture frames instead. Here's one I finished today. It's made of scrap glass from the large order of stained glass from Vancouver. It's kind of an experiment. The glass is applied haphazardly with no regard for grout allowance and no concern for grout creep. I am happy with it!

Day trip to Wimberley and Gruene with my friends

2009-11-09T16:04:00.002-06:00

We had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect. We met in town at one lady's house at 8:30 a.m. and had banana bread and orange juice and coffee. Then we took two cars and headed out for Wimberley. Wimberley Market Days was going on and we browsed through all the booths for a couple of hours. I bought the most adorable succulents (plants) there. Then we drove to Gruene and met a third carload and had lunch at the Gristmill; then walked next door to Gruene Hall and listened to two sets of Rob Roy Parnell - very good band, very energetic and fun. Known as Texas Roadhouse Blues, I believe. Got back to Austin about 6:30. So relaxing and wonderful to be with my friends again. I am second from the end on your right.

Glass Totem work in progress

2009-11-03T13:34:00.004-06:00

Bottom half of the totem, and a closeup:

Top half of the totem and a closeup:

There are four pieces total: a base, the bottom half, top half, and a pointy finial. They will all be grouted as separate pieces (for ease of handling) and then all joined together (using GE Silicone II clear for windows/doors) and placed outdoors on a small concrete pad.

2009-10-31T19:58:00.004-05:00

Happy Hallowe'en, everybody! Click to enlarge the photos . . .

Renee, age 9

Rachel, age 11

Bumping up my favorites

2009-10-30T08:31:00.006-05:00

This is my favorite piece so far so I'm bumping it up in the queue to look at until I get this glass totem done. Whew, working on round glass is quite challenging. The GE Silicone II for windows and doors works great - - the pieces don't slide around at all - - but it is difficult to get out of the tube. My daughter gave me a neat little tool that fits on the bottom of the tube of silicone and rolls up as you go, so that helps enormously. Here are two views of my guitar, my most favorite of all things to mosaic. The second view is painted on the back. (click to enlarge)

©2008, Silva Hayes, Celebration of Texas Women in Music

Glass Totem beginning

2009-10-20T12:58:00.006-05:00

Here are the pieces:

The pieces stacked:

The plan is to mosaic them using the special glass I just received, using GE Silicone II, grout them with black sanded grout, then glue them together, again using GE Silicone II, and grout the junctions.

Here is just a small selection of the glass I've been raving about (click to enlarge):