Kitchen Kitty Mosaic

O.k.,  I went with the green because the red was too busy. Have started to glue it down, the tedious part where I listen to a book or something. Grout will be two colors - black cherry and mallard green. (picture the space in between with colors of brownish purple and soft green). I'll cut shape out with my trusty angle head Before grouting. 

Have started another little painting on love - the connection between people and pets :~).

Here is my 'Gatito' laid out! The leaf shape is a fat basil leaf.  Nature, wildlife, words all inspire my art.

Jewelry - Tiny Paintings to Wear

Today I saw a video on YouTube that motivated me to play with a totally different technique and direction. It was on making domed resin pendant. Previously I had toyed with the thought of the glass tiles, but after watching this I now have TWO ways to put my artwork on other media. Sure there's the notecards, bookmarks, book bags, prints etc. but I confess I have always loved to experiment with jewelry making, beading etc. Why Not?! 

My glass paintings tend to be jewel like in style and color and could translate well into pendants, brooches. With a little tweaking in PhotoShop.

So here's a link to the video (turns out there were many examples) and some reverse glass paintings that could fit well in a square, round rectangle or oval. It will be like wearing mini paintings! One inch rounds or squares.

Here's a tutorial on that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krb1a3OhsS0

4th July 2009

Started out with two disastrous events. Thank god for Risa and my Art. Worked on kitchen kitty first. Then turned evening into cool mini picnic of fireworks at the park with Risa, glow necklaces, and our favorite snacks. So I was surrounded by lots of fun, happy energy. Thrilled couple of kids with gifties of glow necklaces. What they didn't know was that their happy enthusiasm was a much bigger gift to me! **Look -  Risa is glowing!   So had super 4th and hope everyone else did too! :~)

Kitchen Kittys

Still into the mixed media mosaics. Currently playing with a little series of my  illustration graphic style that started about four years ago and is a nice detour from the representational side of my work. I do all of my saints, angels and love messages in this style. Very natural and fun to embellish and play with. Fantasy, folk tales and legends are themes I love to explore. 

Here is a layout of my Kool Kitties. This is a kitchen kitty - hurray for all of us who enjoy cooking! 

Mirror, stones and reverse glass painting used in most or all of my work. Grout color will be black cherry, red or dk. brown. I have a lot of hardi backer board, so I'll use that to work on or 1/2 inch easy board. 

Sueño del Mar

Ocean Dream or Dream of the Sea.

This is from a series of reverse glass paintings I am working on of the Sea of Cortez.  An experiment of balancing a little fantasy with reality. Sea Turtles are such charismatic, mysterious creatures and I do not get tired of exploring the undersea life in all it's colors and moods. Working on little 3 min flick of the technique but for now google wikipedia for an explanation of the technique of reverse glass painting. :~) It's featured in a lot of my work.        Click on the pic for larger viewing.

Stay tuned for another Sea of Cortez painting that includes una Sirena (mermaid).

Current books I liked

The following books  I liked and you might like too! I listen to books a  lot when I work on a piece or travel. Usually have 5 to 9 books going at any one time. Books are a big passion with me. So here's a few...

The Art Of Racing In the Rain  - audio book; bittersweet and really good.

Three Cups Of Tea - audio book; amazing story.

Blink, the Power of Thinking without Thinking  - audio book. How decisions are based/made.

Stop and Smell the Roses - favorite comics - Mutts, they make me laugh and think.

Artist to Artist: 23 major Illustrators talk to children about their Art - great read!

Breaking Dawn - yes, I am a Stephanie Myers fan and this audio book was good.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret - children's audio. I love children's books and stories. 

Dead to the world by Charlaine Harris from her Southern Vampire series. Light, entertaining, funny.

Little Scout

A new piece I just finished last week. Still playing with technique of incorporating my reverse  glass painting with the mosaic and other media.  It has mirror bits and iridescent glass and glass gems. I have always loved  working with glass - it offers so many choices and textures. 

S.T.A.R Academic Academy

Viola! Done! The mirror makes it glitter from afar - even though can't see it in this photo.

S.T.A.R Academic Academy- students at work!

S.T.A.R Academic Academy - Installation

Pieces being attached to wall. Was put together in three pieces that were pre grouted on hardi backer board, then bolted onto wall, then finish grouted on edges. Colored grout was used for star, cactus and red birds :~). 

s.T.A.R Academic Academy - Installation

Ace installer Walter doing finish grouting around the edges. Birds were already pre grouted and done -ready to install. 

They turned out so cute I want to make some for myself! 

S.T.A.R. Academic Academy School sign

This was a great project at the  school S.T.A.R,  Academic Academy. A school that gives students the opportunity to get their high school degree. The students designed the piece, made the clay tiles which were then broken and used to make the mosaic. Once the work got going, glass gems, mirror and other tile were incorporated. the students and I put it all together.It turned out sparkly and can be seen very easily. 

It is welcoming for the students and parents and gives a sense of place. The dark line is where the grout has not dried yet at one of the joint seams.