. . . make up a mosaic. I have always been fascinated by mosaics. Something about the use of tiny pieces to build up a scene is very appealing to me.
I have seen wonderful mosaics in Europe. While other tourists were photographing walls and statues, I had my camera pointed down at mosaic floors. There's a wonderful mosaic on the floor at the entrance to a house in Pompeii. A dog is depicted with the legend "cave canem" ("beware of dog") around it. It seems very modern!
For a serious sensory overload, go to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, and look up. As far as the eye can see, there are colorful religious pictures in glass tile. The tiles surrounding the motifs are made from REAL GOLD LEAF fused between two layers of clear glass. They shimmer. It is a stunning display of the centuries-old Venice glass industry married to masterful artistry.
According to Wikipedia, the original ceilings were completed by about 1270; but in the 19th century, many of the tiles were "reset" (to modernize, I guess) and the changes were inferior to the original. Perhaps so, but, not having been around in 1270, it's still spectacular to me.
I've been working with ceramic tiles for my mosaics – and they are sharp enough when cut. I can't imagine using glass and still retaining all of my fingers.
I'm currently working on the shower stall in my home, with an underwater scene. It's been unfinished for quite a long time, complicated by carpal tunnel syndrome. But a simple brace for my right wrist works very well – so I'm racing along with it now. It's fun because I'm doing it only for me – it's like playing
In a former home, I did a whale mosaic in a double-wide shower stall. There's a photo in my new studio newsletter. Here are some photos of my current project.
