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Object: Fruits & Vegetables Theme Commission
Materials: Direct and Indirect (using clear tile tape)
Dimensions: two 131-15/16" x 24" panels ( thus roughly two 11 x 2 foot panels )
Design Notes: The fruits & vegetables theme is the "fresh station" where one can find salads, fruits, etc. The mosaic panels hang on the front of the counter with backlit images behind the counter reinforcing the theme.
This particular design seemed to go through a true growing cycle. It started with a representation of many large colorful fruits and vegetables. Then it moved to a quiet abstract image of flowing lines filled with the colors of a bounty yet to sprout. Finally it evolved into "real" vines with leaves and colorful fruit ready for picking.
Commission Notes: This commission entailed the design and execution of four themes to identify the various food stations at Lecanto High School cafeteria in Florida. It was an impressive remodeling project with longevity in mind: from mechanisms which can switch from hot to cold for evolving menus to access panels & wiring designed for easy maintenance. While all this planning was going into "function", "form" was by no means forgotten. Providing an inviting place to eat was certainly a big part of the mix.
Instead of permanent traditional signage, there are themed decorative mosaic panels running the length of the counters. The look of each of the four stations informs you of the type of food being served, leaving the exact menus flexible.
I congratulate the vision of the Citrus County School Board. All of the students and faculty of Lecanto High School will be able to benefit from this investment in their school for years to come. I was proud to be a part of this project.
Close Ups
Close Ups
01 The finished panels (top) and the approved sketch (bottom). Though the panels belong to one food station they are not installed right next to each other. It is wonderful having such a generous canvas, but it certainly makes getting an overall picture a challenge. Photographs of the work installed (coming up) will provide better context.
02 The Right panel shown with its black wood frame. Each panel has a french cleat type hanging mechanism running the whole length and some clips with screws at the bottom for extra security.
03 This theme evolved quite a bit during the design process. It started purely as representational, then symbolic and finaly merged into a combination of the two. My favorite part are the colors flowing through the vines. They represent the bountiful selection of healthy fruits and vegetables we are able to harvest from plants.
04 Yes, yes ... I know a tomato is really a fruit, but what perceived vegetable has a more luscious color?
05 The execution of this theme incorporated the classic technique of bordering all the foreground elements with an outline of the background colors. This not only seams everything together elegantly, but also makes the cutting of the background tiles more efficient.
06 My little windsurfing signature is incorporated in every panel. In the fruits & vegetables theme they are less subtle as I had fun connecting them to the featured fruit.
07 A deep purply color was chosen to coordinate with the backlit images reinforcing the theme of this station. Eggplants were featured prominently in the supporting photos, so their counterpart in the mosaic became these dark grapes.
08 The 1/2 tile size seen in the background creates the horizontal feel I wanted.
09 The leaves are made up of 5 colors: two colors per value and the last color for the outline. The grapes have a less rigid application of colors.
10 A combination of 3 yellows gave me a nice bright but not garish look.
11 To match the foggy-grey/green-minty-mysterious color I had in my head, a gradated mix of 9 different colors was used for the background.
12 Detail.
13 Detail.
14 Detail.
Process
Process
15 The approved design. I prefer for a client to decide on the design in black & white only first. This helps keep the focus on the subject matter and composition. Due to a very tight deadline, color was incorporated at the onset. .
16 The color palette available to me is always on my mind during the design phase. Once approved, I start the final selection by laying my sample colors out to represent the base colors. More colors are selected and swatches made with the tiles cut to size and grouted. Further refinements are made at this time. Quantity estimates are done and the tile order is placed.
17 I started the actual tile work of the panels with the leaves. The foreground elements are done in reverse on tile tape. The background is applied direct on the board.
18 The leaves are made up of 5 colors, 2 for the light side, 2 for the dark and the border color. I try hard not to fall in love with the texture of the back of the tiles. Someday I want to use them specifically for those nice little ridges.
19 As the leaves get done, I place them (still in reverse here) in their appropriate spots on the panel for a nice look-see and storage.
20 After the leaves are done, I work left to right (still in reverse) to connect the leaves with the other elements like the vines and tomatoes.
21 The real value of using the tile tape is apparent at this stage. Applied tiles can easily be edited for corrections. You will see on the next image how the shadowed areas are feathered in more nicely. Also shaded areas were added to the green leafed portion of the vine.
22 Red seems to be a "real pill" in most mediums, glass is no exception. Finding the right shade or having the color you order actually match the sample you select from, is rarely successful. Blending is the best solution and this keeps the process creatively organic. I ended up with 5 different reds from 3 different manufacturers for just the right mix to accomplish what I was after.
23 The Right panel's foreground elements done! They are laid out proper side up.
24 Here are some of the color tests done for the grape side of the panels. I rough out a mix of the selected colors in one grape shape as a practice run to help zero in on the final color mix.
25 A few grapes were done individually before assembling them and working on the bunch as a unit.
26 The andamento (flow of the tiles) is a wonderful extra dimension in mosaics to help describe shapes.
27 All the vines and grapes now done for the Left panel as well.
28 A little chopping and you end up with bite size pieces to mortar down.
29 I drew horizontal lines on the boards to help with the placing of the background tiles later. All the pieces are then dry-fit into place and outlined. The larger sections get mortared down first.
30 After a section is down, the excess mortar gets removed from around the edges to keep the area still to be tiled clear.
31 Now the fun begins in earnest, pulling off the tile tape and revealing all the true colors.
32 At every stage you get used to the look of the current process (the textured back of the tiles; the cloudy colors see through the tile tape). Now, without the tile tape, the beautiful sheen of the glass can finally be appreciated.
33 The mix of reds is so luscious, good enough to eat. One of the reds has a rounded edge and mottled texture which really livens up the mix and adds to the hand-made quality of all the cut tiles. The basic square tiles shown are actually 1/4 the size of the originals after I cut them down. The thin border edge are 1/8 the original size.
34 Any mortar that squished between the tiles is cleaned up at this point. The grout will be an obvious different shade of grey so it is important to catch any mistakes.
35 Detail.
36 The right blend of the background colors is worked out. Guide samples are made to ensure consistency throughout the 22 foot length to cover.
37 The guide is used to select the correct colors to outline all the elements. Then an open area was picked to establish the background flow. The horizontal lines drawn on the board are very handy to keep the rows of tile from straying.
38 The background was started at the center of the Left panel. I outline and fill in as I go.
39 The absolute main appeal, for me, of mosaics is the andamento, the beautiful flow of the tiles. That alone can make any surface worth looking at.
40 On the Right panel, I decided to outline everything first and then fill in the blanks.
41 The fruits & vegetables panels were the last of the 4 themes completed for the entire project. Laying down the last background piece meant the 149 square foot goal had been reached. This warranted a quick celebratory hug with a reluctant friend.
42 The frame is all taped off and the surface clean of debris. Ready to grout!
43 The last view before the unifying and softening effect of the grout. Many tests were done before a single tile was put down to make sure all the colors worked together once grouted.
44 Besides a shift in color, the grout will bring out the patterns and flow of the tiles. Careful attention is paid to how the tiles are placed, so calling a little attention to that reinforces the design.
45 A board resting on the frame for my grout and tools keeps the work area efficient, no extra tables needed.
46 Left to right, the panels are grouted and cleaned. Removal of the tape, a few days curing and then sealant is applied. Finis.
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