Merri's Hummingbirds

created by sandra groeneveld

Object:  Merri's Hummingbirds       Commission 

 

Materials: Marble, Italian Smalti, Filato and Client's Porcelain Backsplash Tile 

 

Dimensions:  32.5 x 37" 

 

Method: Applied to Mesh

 

This commission was received after the completion of a full kitchen renovation. The area above the stove was left free for a mosaic with a carte blanche for subject matter. Multiple design proposals along with phone conversations lead to dead ends. Nothing seemed to hit the mark.


I decided to let the new porcelain tile backsplash material take the lead, and marble I had on hand to make a sample piece. The hummingbirds in my client’s garden came up multiple times during our casual conversations. Thus, a small proof of concept bird, hovering over abstract flowers was made. This small bird, with its subtle earthy colors became the spark for the final design.

All the drawings and execution were completed in my studio in Florida. The work on mesh was cut into smaller sections. Once packed as my luggage, I headed north to insert the work in the waiting space in Connecticut.


No bold focal point was the key. Out of the background these tiny birds emerge, creating a quiet space, to keep one company while making a nourishing meal.


Selected for the "Mosaic Arts International Exhibition 2024"
Site-Specific Entry
SAMA's Annual International Juried Exhibition
See more about the exhibit

On display in 2024: 

Close-ups & Process

01 Detail

02 Detail

03 Detail

04 Detail

05 The proof-of-concept hummingbird being combined with the first flower. The flowers were kept very abstract to keep the focus on the birds.

06 Two more poses drawn to scale.

07 Various kinds of marble were cut and then grouted using the grout color already used on the installed backsplash. The top sample: is the standard backsplash tile. The center sample: highlights the 4 main  marble colors I selected for the birds/flowers. The bottom sample: further tests flower & stem colors.

08 A wet saw was used to cut the marble into rods as well as break down the porcelain tile (very hard stuff!!).  My trusty hammer & hardie was used to cut the rods down into the smaller tesserae.

09 Next hummingbird almost complete, a single porcelain tile is always nearby to make sure the proper depth is maintained.

10 Smalti and filato are inserted into a temporary bed of clay. Once the placement is refined, the pieces are set in place with mortar.

11 When the focal points are finished - birds or flowers - they are grouted.

12 Second and third bird completed. 

13 Boxes simulated the cabinets to help refine the composition of the birds/flowers. Porcelain tile under the "cabinets" helped guide the flow of the tiles which knitted all the pre-made sections together. 

14 The grouted bird section locked in place now by the surrounding tiles. The tesserae to "seam" the mosaic to the existing backsplash was carefully numbered to facilitate reassembly. They were not mortared on the mesh in case adjustments needed to be made on-site.

15 All the sections cut apart and labeled for transport.

16 On-site, preparing to install. 

17 Section by section, the mosac is reassembled.

18 The main sections installed, the final pre-cut pieces are placed to finish off the edges.

19 Grouted focal points protected, the balance of the mosaic is prepped for grouting. These focal points of birds/flowers were grouted in my studio so the work could be comfortably done while still horizontal on a table.

20 Ready for prime time: Looking for my hidden signature amongst all the little pieces.