Hello Florida! Magical Sun Glass Mosaic

Happy Sunday!
I wanted to share photos of a glass mosaic art piece that sold last week. The Magical Sun was purchased by a dear friend and collector of my glass painting.
She has supported my work with kind words and more - her friendship means the world to me!

Here is the mosaic art and where it now lives, in a sweet guest house in Florida. I love the way the light dances on it, catching the beads, mirror and gold highlights in the painted face.
The Magical Sun cheerfully greets everyone in the state of sun and palm trees -
Hello Florida :)

Artful Oasis

The finished mural with a few photo edits :)

After blending out some of the palm tree on the yellow area and color adjusting.




Before photo editing. Early morning was the best time to finish the edges, but the light was in a lot of shadow.  The mosaic mural was centered over the pool.  Their landscaper put the palm trees on either side after the installation.

Red Glass Mosaic Mural Progress

Can't wait to see this on the wall, sparkling with it's rich jewel toned colors!

Almost ready to grout, and the optional water bubble circles will be left out of the mural.

With the heavy moisture in the air, installation will be moved another week so the adhesive will have time to cure. The adhesive will continue to cure for about a month, but a week will be good for installation.

The grout will be a neutral gray in a middle tone, maybe 2 shades. Fast forward a couple of years in the intense Tucson desert climate  and it will fade to a shade lighter, as all exterior things do.
Except glass, ceramic, stone, some metals!

Red Glass Mosaic Mural

6'x2.5' stained glass mosaic *** Almost Finished! *** Yay!

Just the tip to go. Then going back to add in bubbles (circles), accents, adjustments etc. If I get the glow tiles in time, I'll use them for some of the bubbles in the blue areas. Using iridescent glass now.

Will use dark grey grout as it will fade in a few years to light grey in the intense sun. Maybe black in the red areas.

Black marks in the center are where the mosaic halves join. Blue stickers are where the bolts go to install. Sanded calk will finish the edges when installed.

Fabricated with glass from local Expressions Art Glass and my stash of glass :)
To be installed at exterior pool area. Stay tuned for installation news.

Red Abstract Glass Mosaic

A peek at the progress of this lovely glass mosaic.
Each glass piece is carefully matched in color, hand cut, shaped. Hundreds of pieces go into a mosaic.  It's further along now and I'll take new pics to share soon.

Rich Red Abstract Mosaic

Went glass shopping at Expressions Glass and I am working on this vibrant colored stained glass mosaic. It's large 6' x 2.5' for an exterior pool area. I will be posting stages in the creation of this mosaic from design to completion and installation.

Had to clear out and reorganize the studio, which was a good thing.
In fact, I'll be having a small online studio sale to find loving homes for a few pieces of art in a variety of media :)

Hand colored full size cartoon, ready to use

Coloring the bulk/Wht banner print out for color matching and because I like to color!

Used an old set of pastels to color the 6' x 2.5' print out.

Original art proposed for pool site. Changed to current curves.

It will be mosaics of stained glass in rich colors inspired by Georgia O' Keefe.
Also, working another mosaic that I am designing for a friend. She will be fabricating it in tile. It's super cool, I love it and will do a separate post for it.

Gila Dreams Mosaic Signs

This little Gila Welcome mosaic sign is on it's way to Philly to enhance the entry of a Herpetologist's home, where it will make a difference every day.

I'm feeling the itch to mosaic again and make another version of this most favorite subject, the Gila Monster. Another welcome sign or simply the beauty of this unique jewel colored animal.

Mosaic artwork can enhance an outdoor or indoor space as either functional or fine art. The beauty is that the medium of mosaic is very durable, dating back to ancient Roman, Greek with examples of Pompeii being the most known/seen.

Stained glass is my preferred medium, mixed with other glass, natural stones. Here is the same design using rich colors in a re purposed cabinet door with tempered glass.






Commissions for Gila Dream mosaics and welcome signs are available. Each is handmade, unique, made just for you.

Gila Dream - Glass Mosaic, ©SueBetanzos.com

How to under paint mosaics

This technique is for glass mosaics.  Stained glass, semi-translucent glass and clear glass. Underpainting gives richness and depth to the glass.
Some are not grouted. The grout can be more disruptive than enhancing unless hand tinted.

I get my glass from local Expressions Art Glass. They have a good selection, nice store and warm glass supplies too. They are the oldest glass suppliers in this area.

The Ruby Throated Gem is at Tohono Chul as part of their Take Flight Birds In Art Exhibit. The show is Nov. 13 - Feb. 14 in Tucson, AZ. There are some amazing artworks to view.

Books, Snacks, Wine, Rainy Day

This little mosaic Ruby Throated Gem is part of a day three of the invitation art challenge.

Took the weekend off from cyber and studio. Had the guilty pleasure of just reading - hanging out with a new author/read and taking a micro vacay into the urban fantasy world of Patricia Briggs :)

I'm sure my version of heaven will include a giant library loaded with my favorite authors, genres, snack/wine/coffee bar and BFF Risa (of course)!
All in a nature type environment filled with birds, running stream, waterfall etc. - why not?

Except the wood frame, the hummingbird mosaic is suitable for outdoor or moisture.
Stained glass, mirror, chain -  un-grouted, adhered with Lexel silicon on wedi board.

Gila Welcome

My series of welcome pieces. This mosaic is almost done. Face taped, ready for mounting.
The Gila art has been popular because these are such interesting creatures that are becoming rare due to urban encroachment.
The Gila Monster is a large beautiful lizard and the artwork is about life size.


As with all handmade work, each piece is unique ensuring one of a kind art. They can be custom ordered thru my website, or contact me here :)
At least one Gila artwork will be available at the Tucson Bird and Wildlife Festival Aug. 14 - 16 where I will have work at the Riverside Park Inn along with wonderful animal lectures, displays for nature lovers.

Gila Welcome mosaic in progress

Gila Welcome Mosaic, Sold

Gila Dream Mosaic, AZ BiCentennial piece, Sold

A Gila Welcome Mosaic

Custom Gila Welcome mosaic will jazz up an entry way, indoors or outdoors.
Ready to hang with a wire on the back.  Remove the wire for a more permanent installation.
At my new Etsy store - Art Of Sue.
More on the way for Dogtoberfest  in Tucson where I will be demonstrating mosaic for classes with deMosiaco. One will be Mosaic Your Pet! Come out to say hello and support a wonderful non-profit Handi-Dogs. Voted best non-profit event in Tucson :)

I'll be giving a beginner four hour micro class on September 20 at diMosaico in Tucson for those interested in trying out mosaics.

Custom mosaic -  Art Of Sue

Mosaic Gila Monster Welcome

Mosaic Gila monster in progress as part of a commission for a welcome plaque. This super cool lizard is not a monster at all. She is another of nature's fascinating works of art. Rarely seen in the wild due to urban encroachment.

Stained glass done in reverse method. It is laid out on clear contact paper, sticky side up which prevents  pieces from moving.

Custom Mosaic Address Plaque - finished!

Glass and ceramic tile custom mosaic address plaque Finished  :)
Below are the steps for reverse indirect technique used in this project.

Address Plaque by  Sue Betanzos Designs

Layout your design with clear contact paper, sticky side up to prevent pieces from moving when placed.

All laid out according to the design. Vermillion Flycatcher with prickly pear and bee.

Firmly apply/adhere mosaic tile tape to the surface. A heavy grade clear tape for mosaics. 

Carefully flip the mosaic. Now the backside is ready for a thin coat of grout and cement. The grout will fill from the back for an even front surface and prevent cement from seeping through.

Butter the substrate (1/2" Wedi board) and a very thin coat on top of the pre-grout. This ensures complete adhesion of all tiles for a firm bond. Vital for outdoor pieces to withstand weather.

Center and Seat the substrate onto the prepped area. This is already on a heavy cardboard bottom. Put another firm board on top to sandwich and flip so now the right side of the mosaic will be on top.

With a tile float, press the tiles to make sure all is bonded. Then let the cement and tile cure a few hours (depending on air moisture/environment).  Use the container the cement was mixed in to test the hardness of the cement as it cures.
When it has hardened to very firm clay, Carefully test a corner of the mosaic film for tile adhesion. The tiles should remain in place.  Gently begin peeling the film at right angle (Not straight up which can pull pieces off since the cement is not hardened).  

Once tile tape has been removed start cleaning excess grout with toothbrush, brushing off excess. The grout should be at the point where it can still be removed from the surface as it begins to harden more.

Certain areas will need more filing if the mosaic is mixed media, such as this one. Plus the edges and bottom still need finishing.

The sides are finished with tile and a touch of silver chain added to the bottom to complement the mirror accents. Last step, grout the edges and the chain, clean and polish. Let it cure for a few days. Cement and grout will continue hardening for 10 - 15 days depending on moisture environment (especially the cement).

This address plaque is ready to hang. It can also be done without hangers for direct permanent application on a surface.
(hangers were applied onto the Wedi board Before mosaic was assembled)