Cosmetropolis

created by sandra groeneveld

Object:  Cosmetropolis       SOLD 

 

Materials: Vitreous Glass and Smalti with Grey Grout on Cement Board 

 

Dimensions:  51" x 21" 

 

Method: Direct

 

This is a sign for the lobby of a hair salon. All their rooms have a funky 50's-60's feel. The lobby had random squares painted on the walls in colors matching the logo. The whole place has a light and fun atmosphere.

 

The available wall space and the existing decor inspired the design of the background. The logo and its colors were merely to be translated to glass. I chose "smalti" for the letters. The extra thickness in addition to their lively irregular surface gives a wonderful contrast to the flat tiles used on the background.

Close-ups & Process

01 The smalti letters are a bit raised above the flat background tiles, which have a sprinkling of irridescent pieces that glimmer as you walk by. 

02 The letters were not grouted. 

03 Detail  

04 The smalti letters were first assembled on separate boards. Once done, I embedded them in mortar on the sign's base.  

05 Letters done.  

06 Stars added, as well as the letter shadows. This really made them pop. I did not put shadows on the stars. It would have been too noodley with all those fine lines. Instead, I used the patterns of the background to give them a little more interest. The word Cosmetropolis though, is the main focus.  

07 The halo is added, ready for the background. Beside the work in progress is the sample board I made to test things out as well as getting a buy off from the clients. 

08 Background done, ready to grout. 

09 The frame was attached first so I could grout into it.

10 I finally decided on my mark. It is a simplified version of what I have used to hide my signature on the magazine covers and the animated movies I have worked on in my past lives. Can you see the windsurfer fly?  

11 Kiwi stood guard making sure the sign stayed safe before delivery.