Advanced Mosaic Workshop
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4 students arrived and settled in by 9am.
The studio was ready - Dave had prepared the substrates with all hanging hardware included, the waterproof membrane was on the cement based sheeting and the base back had it's membrane overcoat of black paint.
All waiting for the artworks to unfold and ready to hang at home, in garden or indoors.
The china was rattling and almost tinkling with excitment - it knew it would soon have a new home in a magical mosaic of a vase of flowers. The china would be transformed into delicate blooms, daisies, gerbras, fanciful flowers and more! Vitreous tiles emerged as flowing floral trails, with mirror, wire and more embedded using Sandy's fabulous mosaic techniques.
The thinset was waiting, all black today, but Sandy had the wizard of mOz techniques awaiting for the bottles and other fabulous mosaic effects. So much was in front of our eyes, the Leponitts would bring our dreams to reality.
Of course, Dave had a lovely morning tea of scrumptious "stuff" from the bakery and the coffee was brewing all day.
It was a hard day's work. Non-stop and 4 students rose the the challenge of making a 40 x 30cm mural, finished by 5.30pm. The students will scrub and beautify the mosaics at home (to allow the cement to cure overnight) and bring the brilliant mosaics alive! The mosaics travelled home in huge bubble-wrap cocoons.
The delight, the passion, the students finding their mosaic legs, was such a brilliant time. The atmosphere was charged and each mosaic took it's own direction, all starting from a similar idea and making their own.
The mirror twinkles, the background drama, the paints and special effects were so stunning. I wish I had the mosaics here for a few days to absorb them myself! The photos are still in the camera as Dave has gone down to photograph Brad and Lauren's kitchen while he retrieves our trailer.
I will spend today clearing the chaos (it's a wonderful time as I tidy the studio I remember every moment of yesterday's mosaic encounter!).
I will turn Studio 2 into another mosaic guest retreat, starting today. So I am off to some fabulous music, coffee and moving tons of smalti stock to a new spot in the studio and make a cosy place for my family, visitors and more space to display mosaics.
I am getting some of my artwork printed on linen for the Diva Room and Downstairs Retreat - so excited about this!
And an awesome shower curtain. I will mosaic the shower recess over the next few months to match! Decisions!!!!
The Carseldine mural will be completed later this week and cure for a week before installation.
A very busy year ahead with multiple trips around Queensland working on community mosaic artworks and a trip to an Island to work on a marvellous mosaic seat in a National Park. The jelly bean mosaic mural samples are being designed and it's very exciting.
Mark and Michelle's wedding in May and I have over 100 mosaic coasters to complete for the guests....they are looking gorgeous.
So, off and at it... hope everyone is well and happy. Enjoy every day to the full and remember to care for others as a little support goes a long way......
Have a Happy and thoughtful Easter. I look forward to the back to back Workshop A and Workshop B in two weeks! The workshops fill up so quickly and I am so grateful to share my mosaic passion with you all.
Keep on tiling!
Cheers
Sandy
Queensland Mosaic Artist
