Embedded Files
Object: Orchid View Commission
Materials: Vitreous Glass Tesserae with Black Grey Grout on Concrete
Dimensions: 15.5" Square
Method: Double reverse & direct on pre-cast stepping stone.
A remembrance for Wendy's mother Norma.
Representing loving memories for posterity always feels tricky to me. In some ways I feel like an intruder. I listen to snippets of someone's stories, which evoke visions in my head and then I attempt to translate them with my hands. Though my own feelings need to be present, I want the result to feel unique to those who own the memories.
This kind of work is very personal, so I will only describe technique in the detail photos.
Close-ups & Process
Close-ups & Process
01 Detail
02 Detail
03 Detail
04 Orchid bud inlaid in travertine.
05 Norma's initials: NGP were etched with a dremel tool and filled with grey grout.
06 Proposed designs with the final choice on top.
07 Working out the color palette.
08 The first step for the orchid and window direct onto tile tape.
09 Tile tape was placed on top.
10 The bottom tile tape removed. Since there were such few pieces to provide the shading and shape, I wanted to work direct initially, hence this direct & then reverse method with the tape.
11 Ready to embed the tile onto mesh. I wanted a single mosaic "tile" to inlay in the travertine.
12 Removing the tile tape to reveal the proper side of the tiles again.
13 Carving out the travertine to accept the glass tile.
14 Raising the "substrate" so the glass tiles would be flush once added.
15 Dry fitting the glass tile (here still adhered to the tile tape).
16 Glass mosaic mortared in place. Now playing with the layout of the beachcombing treasures in the gaps.
17 The natural travertine evokes coral the most when not grouted. Thus each piece is taped off prior to grouting.
18 The spots for the shells and stones are left open to inset into mortar. They will not be grouted.
19 A good scrubbing to remove any last dirt and bring out all the colors.
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