Abstract on Wedi board

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.

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

(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

(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

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

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!

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?

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

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

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

Conquistador guitar ready to grout except for strings and tuners

Conquistador Guitar wip, gluing underway

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

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

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

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

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

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

Completed August 2009. My largest mosaic project so far:

©2009, Silva Hayes, River through the woods

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

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

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

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

©2010, Silva Hayes, Rhythm and Blues

Galveston vacation

Click on picture to enlarge.

surf:

cottage hammock:


Moody Gardens rainforest:

Jamaica Dream

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

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.

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

Mosaic Glass Head, WIP

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

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

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!

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

Mosaic talk at Bee Cave Elementary today

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?

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

Candle picture finished - click to enlarge the image

©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!!