MAANZ 2012

Well here we are already into February. Less than 11 months to Christmas!

I thought I'd share that we have had our Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand (MAANZ) planning meeting for 2012 and it's going to be a very exciting and educational year.

We're very happy to be MAANZ members -  they are a very interesting and talented bunch! We really look forward to and enjoy our time together, always learning something new and cementing (grouting?) firm friendships.

Turtles

Here's my newest piece, featuring Turtles - I've never made a Turtle mosaic before!
It's on a substrate of rendered foamboard with an aluminium frame, and measures 60cm by 30cm. Suitable for sheltered outdoor display.

The name of this piece is "Happy Together".

You afficionados of 60's music will get it - everyone else will have to do some research! 

Null Space

This piece - titled "Null Space" - leaves large spaces between some of the glass elements, creating the effect as the space between galaxies, or maybe a "black hole"?

You need a very stable substrate for this technique, or the large expanse of grout will tend to crack. I have used the "Marmox" board for this piece, as it has less tendency to warp than anything else that I'm aware of.

This detail illustrates the space between galaxies; you feel you want to stare into the void and lose yourself!

Of course I've used my trusty Ring Saw to cut the "galaxies".

3D

I've been working on creating more 3D pieces, and this is the latest. It's a bit difficult to see in the photo (it's virtually impossible to properly capture glass art in a photo) but the bright fish is 3D.

This photo hopefully shows the 3D effect a bit better:

The shapes are cut from polyurethane foam (a hot - wire cutter is very handy here) and adhered to the substrate, covered with fibre glass mesh and render cement.

Then the design is applied as normal, although if there are any steep slopes you need to use a fast - setting adhesive or tile adhesive.
And, because the 3D fish is so inconspicuous, the piece is named...........

                                                               CAMOUFLAGE

Rainforest Series

I call this my Rainforest Series.

The little green frogs which we have in abundance here were my inspiration.

Of course, you don't see just frogs in the rainforest! This piece features a Wren and a Kookaburra as well as our little frog.

 There's so much to eat in the rainforest that some of those little green frogs get pretty fat!

And sometimes the Kookaburras eat the little green frogs!

Rain Series

This piece requires some very painstaking glass cutting!

The long wavy mirror strips are just one (very careful) cut, and the spirals are cut using the diamond - bladed ring saw.

White grout enhances the lacy look of the piece, and touches of pale mint add depth and interest to the colour.

The above piece was a commission and has been sold.

This is a mirror of similar design, but using black grout instead.

This piece is called "Golden Rain". More golden highlights than silver.

A different variety of highlights used between the mirror strips - and you can see my studio reflected in it!

Gold Leaf Butterflies

This lazy Susan features my new Gold leaf Butterflies. I make them using gold, silver or copper leaf on the back of reverse - painted  butterfly wings.

This piece is sold.