Space mosaic - WIP 6-11-11

(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

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