Embedded Files
Object: Sable: Short-tailed Hawk Sold
Materials: Stone on Cement Board
Dimensions: 6" x 6"
Method: Direct with mortar
Sable is a Short-tailed Hawk who is an ambassador for the Avian Reconditioning Center in Apopka, Florida. They nursed her back to health after being found gunshot. Though Sable never recovered enough to fly properly, all who are lucky enough to meet her can be reminded of the beauty and value of all wild creatures.
Participated in the "One Hundred Moments in Mosaic" Exhibition 2020
On display in 2020 in Tuscon, Arizona:
Cancelled due to You-Know-What
Exhibited instead on-line: December 1, 2019 - June 1, 2020
On display in 2019: October 31 - November 3:
Sculptural Objects and Functional Art Expo (SOFA)
at the Navy Pier (Chicago, Illinois)
Close-ups & Process
Close-ups & Process
01 Because of the monochromatic & stark nature of the subject I only worked out the eye in detail. Having the outline was enough information for the head, no value study required. The direction and shape of the tesserae are the main consideration. For that I drew lines to indicate the flow of feathers and volume.
02 I transfer the drawing in line form to the substrate. A few indications of where the light hits are there to remind me to pick out the lightest values of stone. It is amazing how quickly you can lose track of the big picture when you start dealing with individual tesserae.
03 Time for a break: personal hunger pangs can always pushed to the background while working, but others, who are dependent on you, will not be ignored.
04 After selecting my first draft color palette, I dry-fit the most important area to see how the selections work together. This often leads to more digging around for some new materials, especially in a work with such a small footprint.
05 Where the beak transitions into the feathery area in front of the eye is always tricky. My first attempt did not make the grade. Removing pieces within the a day or two is ideal, otherwise the mortar really doesn't want to let go.
06 As the artwork comes together, the surrounding workspace gets lively.
03 Finis.
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