New Year's Eve and I'm looking forward to projects for the New Year. In February hope to see all of my Mosaic friends in Austin at the SAMA conference. I've got to come up with a final concept for my 3D structure. I've got some ideas but nothing solid-thinking on the lines of a comment on the state of our planet- I've been collecting all sorts of "debris" and think I may incorporate it into this piece. Then I have 2 other unfinished projects to complete. I know attending the conference will give me inspiration! Happy New Year!

As an exercise in taking my art seriously, I applied to the Mosaic Arts International competitive exhibition with my work “Relationships”. It was just an exercise- to get used to applying for competitions- I never dreamed in a million years that I would actually be accepted. Well, faint and fall over- I was!!! This competition is in conjunction with the annual Society of American Mosaic Artists Summit which is held each year in a different part of the country. (It will be held in Austin, TX in 2/11)

It’s well attended by Mosaic artists from all over the world. The biggest names in mosaics attend and- luckily for us, teach workshops. I’ve been to several – the workshops are invaluable. My first thought when I read the email telling me I’d been accepted (after the shock passed!) was a deep feeling of gratitude for all of those artists that give so much of themselves through teaching. It’s really all I’ve been able to think about- those that encouraged me and taught me. From my first teacher, Sonia King- who I was lucky enough to “find” in Dallas and who still inspires me through her cutting edge art and her advocation of taking mosaics to a higher plane; Emma Biggs and her wonderful workshops on design (in which the inspiration for this piece was born); Sherri Warner Hunter-who is fearless in exploring new techniques and avenues for her art and her advice to “think big”; my friend, Lynne Chinn who gave me honest and valuable critiques; Carolina Zanelli who taught at the Spilimbergo mosaic School in Italy- the best class I’ve taken on mosaic techniques; Sophie Drouin & Bill Buckingham’s “Listening to the Rocks” workshop.

The mosaic world lost a great champion when Bill lost his battle with prostate cancer last week. He did so much to promote mosaics- the Mosaic Atlas, Mosaic Yearbook, and the fine magazine Mosaic Art Now. He did much to encourage me with this work and most of the material I purchased from him. He was a friend and I’ll really miss him. Strange as it might sound- I felt his “presence” when I read my acceptance e-mail.

I’m going to use my blog to also thank all of my friends that encouraged me and helped me along the way-Richard who edited my artist statement; Linda who made my art look beautiful with her wonderful photography; Lisa, who tried to teach me how to draw!; Doug, who sat on the floor with me when I first began this project and played with marble tiles to try to get the ideas flowing. Also, my niece Robin (the real artist) who encouraged me and told me “Any one can learn to draw”. Finally, my Mother (from whom we got the “artistic gene”) who encouraged me to appreciate art-even thought she would not let me use her “expensive oil brushes” (but did let Barbara Wells!) I never found my “medium” while she was alive- I guess a part of me wanted to show her I could do it- I wish she were here to share this moment.

It's always interesting (and sometimes a bit scary)to hear someone else's interpretation of your work. I've been mulling over names and and how to "explain" my newest mosaic (above). The way I see it- and have been thinking about it was that it is about forms and shapes and maybe time. Construction , deconstruction; is it the forming of something new or the end of something old. I've been trying to think of "heady" names for it-"Abandonment of the Aether" (what does that even mean?). My friend, Linda (who also photographed my work) looked at it and immediately began talking about relationships- and life and interaction between people and some relationships forming while others are breaking up. Wow. Now I am going to simply name it "Relationships".

Hello Blog. It's been a while. I put aside my mosaics while remodeling and painting my home, vacationing on the beach with my dogs (and other family), and a number of other distractions. But I'm back in the studio now spending several hours a day nipping & cementing. Flashback to 2008- my first marble piece I became frustrated with- I have now begun anew -I've worked through several problems, and it truly has been a learning experience for me. My goal is to finish it in time to enter it into the Mosaic International Competition sponsored by SAMA - the deadline is in Sept. I have no illusions that I will actually be accepted (I probably have about the same odds as winning the lottery- BUT- you don't enter, you can't win). I find that just knowing it will be entered in a competition makes me do better work (sad isn't it, I have to trick myself!) And I just think the whole entering process adds a sense of taking it seriously -- I'm going to have it professionally photographed also. I hope to have it completed by the end of this week and may post photos then- I still have a couple of places that I may need to rip out and redo. Ripping out has been one of my learning experiences. At first ripping out parts of my mosaic was disheartening & I really resisted - but now I find it a bit freeing! When I do not correct a mistake I find myself fretting over it every time I look at the mosaic or a photo. Learning to redo areas was not an "ah-ha" moment- but a "duh!" moment.

Lately I've found that I've been spending a lot of time reading other people's blogs rather than writing mine own. Here two of my favorite blogs right now:

http://www.mosaic-blog.com/ - Emma Biggs' new(ish) blog. an interesting and thought provoking look into her world and amazing mind.

http://mosaicartnow.blogspot.com/ - Nancie does a wonderful job of scouring the cyber-world for interesting mosaic related sites, news, reviews, ect.

Not to mention keeping up with Sonia King's Facebook page- lately all of her "friends" have been drooling over her new studio.

I don't think I ever "reported" on my workshop in Dallas with Lynne Chinn - it was educational and fun! Thanks to the H1N1 virus we had a small class- which gave us lots of teacher one-on-one time not to mention the opportunity to get to know the other class members. Lynne is extremely knowledgable and giving.

Happy New Year- may it be productive and creative!

Oh- I need to mention--I have been getting a lot of weird comments that are obviously some sort of spam- so, I don't post anoymous comments- please leave your name!

Here are a couple of photos of my "organic" looking form that I made in Sherri W. Hunter's workshop a few months ago.
Sherri is a wonderful teacher- and a great problem solver! Last year she won first place in the Best Architectural category at the Mosaic Arts International (MAI) Juried exhibit for her wonderful "Swimming Tiger" benches (we'll forgive her that they are Auburn tigers rather than LSU Tigers!). Check them out at:
http://www.sherriwarnerhunter.com/Tiger%20Benches.htm

Next month I am scheduled to take a 5 day Abstract Mosaic workshop with my friend, Lynne Chinn in Dallas at the Creative Arts Center.

Lynne was generous enough to ask if I would bring my form over so that we can "sit and ponder" my next step with the form-which will be to make it into an abstract mosaic. (Although I will say I 'm kind of getting to like it just as it is). Lynne won Best in Show last year at the MAI Juried exhibit with her incredible "Undulate"--check it out at: http://www.lcmosaics.com/portfolio/index.html


So I'm hoping that maybe--just maybe, with recent training by two of the best modern day mosaic artist, I might be able to make a piece that I feel will be good enough to enter into juried exhibits. Of course, it will probably take me a year or more to finish it! I'll keep you posted.

Here is the second in a series of 3 mosaics --the first one was Anthology I (see below). This one is (obviously) Anthology II. I think I am more pleased with the way II turned out than I. Even though this one is smaller and does not have as many elements. The material is just so rich, for me, that makes the piece. I love the iron (or maybe it's copper or a combo of both) ore that has the patina. Now on to the 3rd one-which I have started--it will be the same size and shape as this on. I hesitate to call it a Triptych--even though that was what it was meant to be, because I did not have the first piece when I started this one so it does not "exactly" match up--but they were made to be placed next to each other with a continuing flow and line.

I also have a video of Mr. Barr, who received the first Anthology (the next 2 are for his sons), explaining the material in the piece and where the material came from. He was very pleased with the mosaic. I'm hoping I can figure out how to post part of the video.

Anthology I --finally finished!

I still need to clean it up a bit-then it is on to the other 2 matching pieces that will make it a triptych. I really like this piece-- the materials are so wonderful. There area couple of things that I might have done differently (like the white marble) but not much.

This piece has so many different types of minerals in it- I'm not sure what they all are! I do know marble, iron ore, pyrite, chrysocolla, malicate. I don't know what the green colored stone is- or the black with crystals running through it. Any ideas? Anyone?

Below is a close up-- i love the areas with the mineral "dust".

Great news! I received a grant from Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation (http://www.culturaleconomy.org/index.php ) that will pay for all of my costs to go to "Concrete Camp" with Sherri Warner Hunter in Bell Buckle Tenn. http://www.sherriwarnerhunter.com/Workshops%20in%20Bell%20Buckle.htm

WhooHoo!

In other news-- the Louisiana Crafts Guild site has gone through "phase 2" and we now have an on line store and I have updated my web page on the site. Click on the link on the right to check it out!

Here is my latest -- all I have left to complete is the upper left background. This is going to be a triptych - it is a commission made for a friend-- the same one I made the table for- this will be for her father and brothers. I have great material to work with! I'm still trying to identify all of the rock samples she gave me. I do know that all came from a copper mine. I'm using marble in the background and the dark blue is smalti she brought to me from Murano. I also still need to think of a name.

Here area a couple of "side views" to show you the depth. The thing I love (and hate) about photographing my work is that when I look at the photo all of the flaws jump out at me! I'm also trying a new technique in this piece. I've been reading a book about Jeanne Reynal's work. She used the left over dust from cutting stone and glass in her mosaics. What I had left over was quite beautiful- so I incorporated areas in the mosaic where I tapped it into the thinset base.

Well obviously I have not posted in a while. I am working on one of my most favorite pieces that I have ever done. A commission using wonderful natural material-- it will be a triptych. I'll post a photo as soon as I finish the first one.

I mentioned earlier that I wanted to do a series. Well, here is what I have so far. They are "desktop" mosaics- each have an "anchor" or primary focal point - I now have all of these pieces for sale at the Alexandria Museum of Art. I really enjoy making these- -I simplified the steps to make them- I used a piece of wedi board with a thin layer of colored thinset and insert it into a frame. Then I mask the frame and make the mosaic- no grouting and no painting! I'm going to make a few more to take to the San Souci gallery in Lafayette. I'm also about to begin 3 commissions- my friend that I made the table for (see Cyprium) found more rocks and wants me to do some pieces for her family members. Should be fun!

I finished the above piece yesterday (which will be a table top)- I named it "Cyprium" - which is the original word for copper the Romans used. It means "metal from Cyprus". Since the rock and mineral samples I used came from one of the Cyprus copper mines, I thought the name fit. Overall I'm pleased with the piece- of course, there are some things I would think about doing differently- I lost one of the colors after I grouted, so I would not use that color again and I think I would add a bit more movement--but maybe not. I'll have to look at it a while. I hope my friends that I made it for are pleased. they may come see it today (I still have to seal it) - but with everyone trying to recover from Hurricane Gustav they may not make it.

I began my mosaic table and am almost half of the way through - here is the first part. The other half is going to be lighter with gold highlights. I'm enjoying working with the mexican smalti - it is so easy to cut. I'm making the individual pieces of smalti a little larger that I would like- but I decided to do so since it is a table and I think it would make a more level surface.

I've put aside my marble piece below to begin a commission-actually I have not done much in the studio in a couple of months. I've primarily been spending my spare time assisting with an Artist Development Workshop that was held a couple of weeks ago and also working on the committee for the Louisiana Craft Guild's new website. It's going to be killer!
My new commission is a small table made with Mexican smalti and rock samples. I'll take a few "work in progress" photos in a few days. I also need to get busy producing some things to sell- I've agreed to do a booth (actually share a booth) at the World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF) Marketplace in New Orleans again this year. They have moved the date to the end of October- still not much time!

I've been primarily working on one piece since January, 2008--I worked on it for a few weeks-decided I hated it and put it aside. Then-- I went to the SAMA Summit in April and got inspiration! I decided that I might be able to "save" the piece with the background. I was not happy the primarily designs in the piece-- which I actually started in a class with Emma Biggs in a 2007 SAMA workshop. The design just was not what I envisioned. Another thing happened that made me return to this piece--free marble!! I went to a local marble, granite and tile place- and the guy there pointed to a giant scrape pile and said- take all you want! Of course, I have to settle for the colors they have- but they have some gorgeous scrapes and some scrapes of very expensive marble. A mosaic artist's dream! So- even if I end up hating --I know I will have learned something from this piece. It is my first piece that is primarily marble, so I'm learning how to cut marble and how to use my hammer and hardie. Above is a "sneak preview" - the piece is about 24" x 30"- the section above is about 8" x 5".

Alexandria Museum of Art Workshop


Here are several of the works created by my adult students in the mosaic workshop I taught at the Alexandria Museum of Art in April, 2008. We had a small but creative group! None of the students had ever done mosaics before- I was very impressed with their accomplishments. The workshop was done under the Museum's "Art Smart" Program.

Here is a new small piece. I've been thinking a lot about doing some small works that I can sell in the museum shop or the LA Crafts Guild galleries, that would be affordable. (translate- that would SELL!) I may actually give this one to the museum for their fundraiser. This is a bit different process for me--I start with the frame, and then make a mosaic that fits. I've generally gone with a small or no frame - I really had fun doing this piece- probably because I could actually finish it in a day or two and see a final product- plus no pesky painting the frame or grouting!

Lots of news to report since my last entry. I now have several mosaic pieces for sale at the store Barnwell Center in Shreveport. Here is their web site for information on how to find them-although they do not have my pieces listed yet:

http://www.barnwellcenter.com/the%20store%20at%20the%20Barnwell%20Center.htm

I've signed up to go to the SAMA Conference (Society of America Mosaic Artist) in Miami the first week in April- looking forward to taking a workshop, "Listen to the Rocks with Bill Buckingham and Sophie Drouin". I have one other spot for a workshop left- but can not decide what to take - maybe I'll just save my money and buy more stuff at the vendor market!

I joined the Contempary Arts Guild, a local guild in Alexandria. We have a show opening Sunday at Capitol One Bank and I will have a couple of pieces in the show.



Also, I'm doing another workshop- at the Alexandria Museum of Art. They have a series called "Art Smart". which is a basic introduction to a particular medium. The workshop will be held April 26th & 27th. It is free to members and I think will cost $10 for non-member--this is a DEAL! The material will cost more than that.

I've started my marble mosaic with ammonites. I like marble but I have to learn how to make better cuts with it. I'm also not happy with my design now that I am half way through it! I have summoned help though- so we'll see what happens! It certainly will be a learning experience. It is also the largest thing I've done to date.

Oh yes, and I must mention the new mosaic magazine- "Mosaic Art Now". It is the brainchild of Bill Buckingham. I got my first issue this week and it is very well done. Right now it is yearly, but I hope he has enough interest to do it at least quarterly. There is some amazing talent in that magazine. Here is the web site: http://www.mosaicartnow.com/ - check it out!!

Latest news-- I sold my Fleur du Coeur piece! yipee- Christmas money! I made some change to the piece. I'm about to start my piece that began in the design in for at SAMA in 3/06, a workshop with Emma Biggs. I'm looking forward to beginning this piece. In other news, I accepted a postition as a member on the Louisiana Craft's Guild board. I think this guild is going places - there lots of exciting ideas to buid the guild --I'm loooking forward to it!