secret hill mosaics

'Growing up Female'

2011-06-10T11:37:00.007+08:00

It has taken me weeks of experimentation to come up with a suitable substrate for this project. It had to be hard and strong, yet look flexible. I have been thinking about it for a long time.

The hot australian summer has delayed the process, but now it's cooler and I am back in the studio.

A child's dress, found, cut up, wired for strength, bandaged and sealed. A growing collection of dresses, trousers, shoes and tiny boots is taking over my armchair in the corner of the studio.

Tiles and china are broken and filed. Small found objects are arrayed on my second work-table and I have a new pair of tile nippers. Soon the 'dresses' in the picture will covered in mosaic.

I am engraving words on tiles, embroidering them onto scaps of fabric. Words from my parents, teachers, relations, colleagues, friends and lovers.
How it feels to grow up female, carrying those words with me over the years.

Small clothes and shoes in mosaic. Tiny words tucked away in the design.

Each piece of work to represent who I am today...

(click on highlighted to text to take you to the start of this project)

Bootstraps

2011-01-10T16:23:00.000+08:00

When in doubt, listen to Rosalie

Sold

2010-12-19T20:02:00.002+08:00

All sold.

I do like those little red dots.

Opening Night

2010-12-06T19:42:00.003+08:00

The mosaic hearts I created to represent 'The Twelve days of Christmas' were accepted by the Art centre. Once again the show exhibited some stunning artwork, ranging from textiles, paintings, sculpture, weaving, photography and jewellery.

Complimentary things were said about my work and I sold two hearts on the night.

Below is was one of my favourite pieces, by a local artist. It is a stoneware dish by Jan Zeck, called 'Four Calling Birds'. The birds are Magpies, sitting on a eucalyptus branch, so quintessentially Australian.

So, onto my next project. Sourcing materials, testing, making a prototype. Seeing if the idea in my mind's eye can work in reality.

THE PROCESS (part 1)

2010-12-02T08:52:00.004+08:00

A new project is taking shape. But I let it percolate. It is a need this percolation. Letting an idea sift through my days. It drifts in and out of my thoughts during daily tasks that have to be done.

Standing in the garden as the sun comes up, watering plants, I see the washing line and my thoughts wander back to the project. Is it possible to use the medium of mosaic? I think so.

The plants are well watered by now as I have begun a mental list of all I will need to complete the piece of work.

Walking with Dog, I see abandonded, rusted fencing wire lying in a tangle beside the track. How to display my work? Later that day, armed with wire cutters, I release the wire and drag it home. It will be useful.

I begin to notice how clothes hang on people. How folds of cloth drape and ripple.

In a queue at the supermarket, I see pleats of cloth hanging from tired shoulders. The rumpled dresses and trousers of small children.

Sorting through old family photographs, the spark is lit again and I grab a pencil and my sketch book.

I find this part of the creative process takes some time. Colouring everything I do. Anticipatory, joyous and perplexing by turns.

Night falls over the ocean

2010-11-23T06:41:00.000+08:00

'Night falls over the Ocean'

A small box.

Decorated with white marble,

streaky blue stained glass,

treasured pot shards from a friend,

dark blue tile,

a painted 'moon' and terracotta grout.

A keeper of secrets, souvenirs or small change.

(click on highlighted text for info)

Green woman

2010-11-10T10:08:00.000+08:00

Green Woman

Finished at last.

Grouted, repainted and polished.

Now she lives in the hall

and I see her every day.

(read about her genesis here)

The twelve days of Christmas

2010-11-03T11:54:00.003+08:00

'...my true love sent to me...'

A brown paper parcel.

Inside, a golden box holding

twelve porcelain and terracotta hearts.

Each engraved with a word inspired by the song.

Hearts small enough to hold in your hand.

My entry for the local art centre
Christmas exhibiton.

Signature

2010-10-27T04:45:00.002+08:00

The porcelain gum leaf

My signature

Tucked into a mosaic to identify it as my work.

I spent an hour cutting out more of the little gum leaves. An old glass jar keeps them safe.

Another project, 'The twelve days of Christmas', is nearly finished. Once again I hope it will be accepted at the local art centre. I am pleased with the results (small pieces that fit into the palm of my hand). Now have I to decide how to display the work and photograph the pieces to their advantage.

Back to work...

New skill

2010-03-26T08:09:00.000+08:00

I am going to learn a new skill.

I need shaped base boards for some mosaic projects.

So......I am acquiring a jigsaw.

Lots of patience will be required!

Treasure

2010-02-01T08:02:00.005+08:00

It is just too hot to work in the studio right now.

So, here are some of my treasures.......

Stained glass

Offcuts found for a couple of dollars at a local market.

A collection of old bottles

Found in local junk shops and given to me by friends.

Wall tiles.

A never ending collection.

If you enlarge this image you can see a favourite quote.

The trumpet.

Presented to me, when I asked,

'Is there anythng you would like me to mosaic for you?'

Cup handles.

Kept for future projects.

Quartz streaked pebbles.

Gathered by P. and carried back from travels for me.

Who needs diamonds?

Green Woman

2010-01-15T10:50:00.004+08:00

Here she is, with a halo of leaves.

Now her leafy bower is nearly complete.

Ripples

2009-12-28T11:18:00.004+08:00

'Ripples in a pond'

A Secret Hill Mosaics tree stump bird bath.

Inspired by pebbles dropped into water, the colours that surround me right now, mauve Jacaranda blossom, pale green eucalyptus leaves and the wide blue Australian sky. A gift for dear friends.

Hidden amongst the tiles is my mosaic 'signature', a small gum leaf cut from thin white porcelain.

Details: stained glass, vitreous glass, ceramics tile, glass gems, marbles, glass and foil beads, ceramic beads and terracotta grout.

Offering

2009-12-18T10:57:00.003+08:00

Anthem for an artist

Scribbled on the wall next to my work table.

An apt quote for someone who works in mosaics.

Morning

2009-12-02T21:36:00.032+08:00

The two weeks I allowed myself to organise the studio are nearly at an end. It was 'creative chaos' in there, with a large spider resident in one corner. After screaming (I am still so English about some of the wildlife here), I employed an empty yoghurt pot to remove the creature and threw it and him/her into the garden. The studio is peaceful and tidy again (for now).

Walking in there this morning, cup of tea in hand and Dog at my heel was a joy. I know just how fortunate I am to be able to do this, to have the time, the energy and the support of people around me. Dog still seems a little stunned that I am HERE.

I sat at the old table you see above and cupped my hands around my green mug, silently giving thanks to whatever powers that be.

Then I opened the drawer, pulled out the sketch book and drew for two hours. Dog curled up under the table, only emerging when sunlight sparked through a crystal that hangs in the window. He barked as rainbows whirled across the wall, turning back to his spot under the table when the sun moved on.

I have decided to create a couple of pieces for our home and one for a gift. I need to focus, get my 'hand' back again. Get the skin in my palm hardened where the tile nippers rest. Then, I shall open the sketch book and represent those ideas in tile, china, rock, glass, gold leaf, found objects, gravel.....

We won

2009-11-07T08:18:00.004+08:00

It has been an interesting few months.

The 'Handle with Care' mosaic won first prize.
I am now 50.
I am the proud owner of a 'Bob the builder' badge which states quite clearly I am 5.
I have handed in my notice at work.
I have two weeks left of regular paid employment.
I am now saying that yes, I am an artist (despite all the reservations, that jump up when I least expect them and whisper, 'You! Are you REALLY telling people you are an 'Artist'?) .
I could not do any of this without the support of the 'Alchemist'.
The studio is a mess.
The garden is a mess.
The dog loves me because we are walking, walking, walking.
To walk is to think.
I am getting a reputation for accepting anyone's broken china.
All this and 'Bob' tells me I am 5.

Completion

2009-07-30T20:29:00.012+08:00

'Handle with care'

Broken pieces put together

Grout has been added and a Jarrah wood frame surrounds the work. This mosaic is going into an exhibition to be held by our local Community Support Scheme.

'The Done Manifesto' by Pre Pettis and Kio Stark

1. There are three states of being. Not knowing, action and completion.
2. Accept that everything is a draft. It helps to get it done.
3. There is no editing stage.
4. Pretending you know what you’re doing is almost the same as knowing what you are doing, so just accept that you know what you’re doing even if you don’t and do it.
5. Banish procrastination. If you wait more than a week to get an idea done, abandon it.
6.The point of being done is not to finish but to get other things done.
7. Once you’re done you can throw it away.
8. Laugh at perfection. It’s boring and keeps you from being done.
9. People without dirty hands are wrong. Doing something makes you right.
10. Failure counts as done. So do mistakes.
11. Destruction is a variant of done.
12. If you have an idea and publish it on the internet, that counts as a ghost of done.
13. Done is the engine of more.

Message to D from me.

We did good stop
We got dirt on our hands stop
We laughed stop
We found friendship stop
We got 'Done' stop
Message ends.........

Nearly...

2009-07-28T21:02:00.007+08:00

At 8.30am on Thursday, we grout it.

The deadline for the exhibit is 5pm on Friday.

Dazzle

2009-07-19T17:17:00.011+08:00

A piece to be noticed, touched and explored.

Texture and colour.
Glass, tile, china and found objects.
Nearly finished and then
the grout.

Two friends working together,

getting to know each other's techniques.
Sharing thoughts, coffee and laughter.

Collaboration

2009-07-01T17:38:00.003+08:00

Something is in the air.

A new work is taking shape.

A friend and I are working on a piece together.

50 years

2009-05-18T18:28:00.006+08:00

'Golden Wattle'

A Golden wedding anniversary gift.

(click on highlighted text for image of plant)

SUN

2008-12-11T06:30:00.003+09:00

Having torn a ligament in my ankle walking with Dog, I was confined to the house for nearly three weeks. I had the odd outing to a coffee shop when I became stir crazy. I still have two visits per week to the physiotherapist. I became bored with books (bite my tongue!) and dvds left me yawning. So, I hobbled out to the studio and made this bird bowl.

With the sun as a focal point, I fossicked through my collection of broken tiles, china and mirror. I used blue grout (see previous post) and just a hint of gold paint on the rim of the bowl. When it was dry and sealed, I placed the bowl on an upturned flower pot and filled it with water. It sits under the lemon tree and pigeons, magpies and parrots have stopped by to bathe and drink. Yesterday, several bees lined up along the bowl's edge to sip water, before flying back to their hive high up in a gum tree.

GROUT

2008-11-30T22:06:00.019+09:00

There is something so satisfying about getting your hands dirty. Heaving a sigh of relief because what you planned, for design, colour and texture is to your liking.

I decided to use blue grout for this project and I do like it. A deep blue, like the blue you see in pre-raphaelite paintings. I hope the birds like it.

Just call me Woad Woman.

Exhibition

2008-11-22T06:06:00.012+09:00

All three 'Eikon" pieces were accepted for the exhibition and we attended the event last night. Two of my pieces can be seen above flanking a stunning Icon of the Madonna and child.

It felt quite odd seeing my work hung and so well lit. But I was pleased with the effect. I wonder how others feel when they see something they have created hung in a public place? It being the only time this has happened to me, I cannot get over a feeling of faint embarrassment.

The whole exhibit was beautiful. We were surrounded by Raku pottery figures, paintings highlighted with gold leaf, stained glass pieces, mosaics, sculpture and etchings.

Now it is time to get back into the studio and create something for my garden....

REGROWTH

2008-11-11T17:08:00.007+09:00

'REGROWTH'

'You are the Icon.

Accept all offerings, no matter how small.

The ordinary can be beautiful.'

A little green 'tree woman' gazes down over the mirror in this last piece in the 'Eikon' series. The work represents renewal. I was inspired by the bright green foliage that grew on trees after fire swept through bushlands in our area last year.

The 'offerings' to the viewer (see previous posts regarding 'the viewer as Icon'), are an old bone china tea saucer (too cracked to be used again, but the yellow and green design, perfect for mosaics), some tiny pea gravel stones and a stunningly bright green piece of rock (from this guy at www.outbackmining.com).

All three pieces of work have now been wrapped and are ready to be taken to the gallery tomorrow, where they will go before a selection panel. So, 'Secret Hill Mosaics' will have to wait..........and see.

'RENAISSANCE'

2008-09-25T08:01:00.010+08:00

Herhimnbryn as an Icon!

'Renaissance'

You are the Icon.
Accept all offerings, no matter how small.
The ordinary can be beautiful.

Details- Glass tiles, gold leaf mirror tiles, iridescent stained glass tiles, polymer clay, stained glass, button, chain, shells, South African clay bead, Pea gravel, gold paint and terracotta grout.

The story behind this Icon and the 'offering' for the viewer can be read in the previous post.

ICON 2

2008-09-20T17:45:00.025+08:00

' Renaissance'

You are the Icon.
Accept all offerings, no matter how small.
The ordinary can be beautiful.

I made this face with polymer clay. By the time it had dried and I added some gold paint, it turned into an angel with a very worn and shabby halo. I like 'worn and shabby', so it found a home on the second Icon.

The simple and ordinary 'offering' for this Icon is Pea gravel from the garden path outside my studio. A tiny thing the pea gravel stone, but it is naturally spherical and the ochre colour of Australia. Imagine if you will, me on bended knees collecting the stones (a true supplicant) and then later applying them to the Icon with tweezers.......................................

A full image of 'Renaissance' will have to wait until the sun comes out and washes the walls of my studio with a brighter light.

ICON

2008-09-14T12:49:00.021+08:00

'Resolution'

You are the Icon.

Accept all offerings, no matter how small.

The ordinary can be beautiful.

The first of three 'Eikon' (Icon) pieces. I wanted the viewer to become the Icon, hence the mirror. All three will have found objects incorporated into them, 'offerings' for each person who sees themselves in the mirror.

Details: white ceramic tile, gold leaf glass tiles, mirror, shells, stained glass, bone, clay, gem, fishing line, wooden base, gold paint, terracotta grout.

(Click on images to enlarge. The terracotta piece at the top of the Icon is a small face. Top image = natural light. 2nd = artificial light.)

ONWARD.....

2008-08-23T23:02:00.014+08:00

The 'block' seems to have dissipated.

Being a member of the local Art Centre, I can enter upto five items for the Christmas exhibition. To date I have not exhibited my work, but taking a deep breath have decided to submit three pieces.............heaven help me! The theme this year is 'Eikon' (but does not have to be religious in nature). If I get just one piece through the selection proceedure I shall be pleased.

I must decide how to price my work, (as anything selected will be up for sale) that will be a whole new experience too.

So, with heart in mouth, I am to be found in my studio for the next few weeks.

UPDATE.....people are asking what is 'Eikon'. It is from the Greek and can be written as Icon. Read about Eikons here.

Planting

2008-06-18T09:53:00.005+08:00

Inspiration continues to illude me. However I thank you all for your suggestions and comforting words.

My studio verandah is a place to sit and catch my breath after gardening at the moment. Our local shire gives away free native plants every year and I am in the process of planting 30 of them. This involves some planning as most of them will (hopefully) grow into large bushes and deciding where to plant them now will have some impact on the future look of our half acre.

As I type a certain hound has sidled up to me and sat down on my right foot, this is his subtle way of reminding me that he requires a walk.............à bientôt for now!

BLOCK

2008-06-09T21:44:00.005+08:00

A creative block has descended. My latest project has been sitting on the table for weeks now. I walk into the studio, tidy a little, sit down, move a few pieces of tile or glass, gaze out of the window, get up and leave.

I then tend to sit on the verandah, where I am invariably joined by Dog. We watch magpies strutting their stuff, rain dripping from leaves and shafts of sunlight weaving through the trees.

I am surrounded by inspiration, yet nothing is happening.

BRICK (2)

2008-05-28T11:01:00.002+08:00

Inspired by the blue of an Australian sky. Also, needed to work on some 'curve' cutting.

Details- ceramic wall tiles, glass gems, blue and white crockery and terracotta grout.

STRATA (series)

2008-05-06T10:09:00.018+08:00

Inspired by the stratification of rock. The first of what I hope will be several pieces.

The top image shows the piece before grout is added. This gives the mosaic added strength. Mosaic does not always have to be grouted and can often look better without it.

The second image is a close up of the stained glass, bone china and pea gravel (from the path leading to the studio). Grout has now been added and I hope adds to the 'Strata' effect.

Image three shows vitreous green tiles and the brown with gold streaks embedded in them.

The final image is the finished work. All it needs now is to be hung on a wall that catches the morning sun, so that the work sparkles.

Details- Old wall tile, vitreous glass in green and brown (with gold streaks), iridescent stained glass, bone china, glass gems, pea gravel, mirror, glazed china plate and terracotta grout.

(click on images to enlarge)

SIX WORDS

2008-04-24T13:55:00.012+08:00

Sitting at my work table in the studio, I pause to rest my eyes and look out of the window. I remember that a couple of weeks ago, Robyn at 'Art Propelled' tagged me with the Six Word memoir.

Sitting, watching rain drip from trees and hearing Dog clatter up onto the verandah.......................

Marmite- Through out my school years, I ate Marmite on hot buttered toast, for breakfast or tea or just because I craved the saltiness. The bread was a delicious wholemeal and made every week by my Mum. If I remember rightly, she would make eight loaves each time she baked. I can still taste the first hot crust.
Fortunately, I can get the UK brand of Marmite here in Australia. The Australian version (Vegemite), does not appeal.

Bluebells- Sunday walks with the family were usually in local woodland. My favourites were along meandering trackways through acres of bluebells. One of my favourite aromas is that of an english bluebell wood. Penhaligons captures it and puts it in a bottle..... sigh.

Hobbits- Sitting by the fire. Lights off, except for one which shines onto the pages of a book my Pa is reading to me and my two brothers. He started at chapter one of The Hobbit and read every evening to us. No more than a chapter a night, no matter how much we pleaded. When he finished The Hobbit, he started on The Lord of the Rings.

Giving- Nearly twenty years employment as a Social Worker for a local council. It started out well. It ended with a caseload of 250 clients and me deciding to stop.

Acceptance- Time to give to myself. Time to say 'No' without explanation.

Detail- Moving to Australia with The Alchemist and changing our lifestyle (less is more). Taking time to notice the details.

Dog scratches at the studio door and I'm back at the worktable. I open the door and he ambles in, crawls under the table and after turning in a few circles, he settles down to sleep. As the door swings shut, I put on my glasses and go back to work.

(click on highlighted text for links)

BRICK

2008-04-04T07:02:00.000+08:00

( Details- Old (slightly irregular) red clay brick. Wall tiles, blue and white china, gold painted china, blue glass marble, mirror, polymer clay, terracotta grout)

What do you do when you haven't picked up your tile nippers for months? You need a small project, to see the finished result quickly. You cast around for something, anything, that will fire up your imagination.

Surrounding some of my garden beds are old red bricks (salvaged by a family member for me, because he knows I like such items). Grabbing one and brushing off a couple of startled ants, I washed it and let it dry in the sun. Dog followed me throughout this activity, because it meant he could drop a ball at my feet and know I would respond.

The brick and Dog came into my shed with me and while he curled up in his bed, I spent a couple of hours scoring and cutting, fossicking (what a great word) through my collection and sealing the brick. I made a small 'face' tile and left it to dry. Time for supper.

Early next morning, while it was cool, windows open and the scent of the gum trees surrounding me, I stuck down tiles, mirror, china and then sealed and varnished the 'face' tile. Time to go out and do some paid work. That evening I stuck down the final tile. The grouting had to wait for a couple of days. I am always a little wary about grouting. Will I choose the right colour, will it improve the overall effect, will I screw it up completely?

I chose terracotta grout (seems to be my favourite at the moment) and after a clean and polish, the 'new' brick was back in it's place in the garden bed.

(click image to enlarge)

TABLE

2008-03-27T15:19:00.000+09:00

'Leaf'

(Details- floor tiles, stained glass, glass gems, clay Cornish maze icon, terracotta grout and exterior grade paint on a salvaged metal bistro table)

Months to make and used for the first time last weekend, when it was loaded with bottles of deep red wine and glass tumblers.

I am pleased with the result but have learnt not to rely on my 'eye' for finishing edges. The result is a little wavy in places!

(click on images to enlarge)