Mosaic Day

Still working away at a mosaic that if  I had the time to devote exclusively  to would take a couple of weeks to finish. But time is what has been very short since last year when mom got cancer, had to go through a lot  of chemo/radiation plus other commitments.  So now I am devoting as much time as I can to finish this very cool mosaic. There are hundreds of stained glass pieces to go. I will be using a Double Reverse method of application; hence the layout on contact paper over the cement board hand painted with the logo to get it as accurate as possible.
Cement mortar is the adhesive that will be used to attach the finished mosaic to the board. No room for error - a one time deal.  Then colored cement Grout to fill in between the lines and add stability to the piece. This is for an outdoor sign to be mounted onto a gate. The outdoor grout will allow for expansion and contraction of weather heat and cold. Using the correct quality materials is what extends the life of outdoor installations. Always research the specs of materials to be used in any permanent artwork for outdoors. I have learned so much since starting mosaics.

Below are two pieces being offered in my Studio Cyber Savings. (yep, click on the words to view the sale site!). Nebula mosaic, had tinted grout, hand made box frame, signed. And an acrylic chickadee painting for springtime.
Excellent savings for original artwork  that is handcrafted by ME! Plus most of the smaller pieces offer FREE Shipping in the lower 48 USA only. If not in the states, just contact me for shipping fees.

Darn Lucky!

S.T.A.R. Academic Center Peace Garden student
public art project 02/12

Happy St. Patty's Day! Yes I am Darn Lucky and truly count my many blessings!
Here is one of the 'Blessings', another student mosaic project with STAR.
Actually, my third mosaic art youth project working with STAR Academic Center. Thanks to art educator Roberta Lewis who writes grants for the school the student have the opportunity to experience a new medium that has existed for over 5000 years. Mosaics are extremely versatile and durable when fabricated for outdoors. The students enjoy the challenge of learning the techniques and here are photos of some wonderful pieces that came from this latest project. The pieces were created for a Peace Garden to be attached to cement planters. My friend Walter Gunn volunteered his time and labor to help install the finished student mosaics. The installation is as labor intensive as the actual mosaic work! There will follow another collage of the installation.
The first mosaic project was for the school sign. Designed by the students it was a fun learning project.
The second mosaic project was an installation of stars inside the school courtyard. Hand picked students designed and mosaic ed their individual stars with a word that that empowered them. Pictures on that coming soon too! They turned out great.

National Geographic BioBlitz 2011 Wildlife!

This weekend I attended and participated in this year's special event BioBlitz sponsored by National Geographic. Each year a different national park is selected by National Geographic for an intense two days of collecting, identifying and recording the flora and fauna of that area. As the environment is always changing, adapting, the natural world is adapting and evolving new species from fungi to new insects, plants, animals.

Saguaro National Park was selected for 2011 BioBlitz. It was an honor to have three of my wildlife pieces chosen and displayed in the visitors center of Saguaro National Park at this amazing and special event. I can only hope that through my wildlife artwork the public will gain an appreciation of the beauty and frailty of our natural world and above all the message that everything is connected in a vast skein - a network of life. Every thread that is broken weakens the whole.

Get ready for some serious glass mosaic - I am also working on a large mosaic sign for Tucson Wildlife Center. They are a non-profit organization who's mission is to rescue, rehab and release wildlife that has been injured or suffered the impact of urban encroachment. Let's face it - we already know that wildlife habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate and with it the bio diversity.

My goal - that my artwork will help change perceptions. Next time people look at one of my bat paintings, or Gila monster mosaics their perception of that species will change from "Eeeww, ickk!" to " Oooh, beautiful, fascinating animal!"

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.

San Diego Sea Turtle Picnic Table, Sea Port Village

Here is my art work in Sea Port Village, San Diego, CA.  A public art piece that was mixed media of mosaic and painting for the Port of San Diego. I t is a picnic table with the theme of the Green Sea Turtle titled El jardin del mar or Garden of the Sea. Features local marine life such as the endangered green sea turtle feeding in kelp with orange Garibaldi and other fish. 

Tucson International Airport

Hi, This is my Very First Official Blog Entry! I am going to really concentrate on putting myself and my work out there. There will be works in progress as well as occasional spots on my favorite companion, my dog Risa. 

Here are pictures of my new work. This is my latest and biggest commission so far. It is a public art venue consisting of four sites at the Tucson International Airport in Tucson, Arizona. They were also my first large mixed media mosaic pieces. The works can be seen at the baggage claim level at the restrooms at the east and west ends. 

It was a wonderful experience and now that it's over I'm ready for another. I have learned a few things and there is so much more I want to know. I am starting a new direction of work that will be posting as I finish. 

Sue