Big Picture Mosaics

The Lesson That Humbles

This month, I took a fantastic class on concrete sand casting at Maverick Mosaics taught by Bonnie Fitzgerald and Andrea Taylor.  I learned how to mix sand and cement to produce one-of-a-kind concrete forms ready for mosaic adornment.  My concrete bird basin is pictured at left.  I haven't posted a blog in a couple of weeks because I was determined to only post if I could share a perfect video that captures how much fun the class was despite my lack of experience with video editing! 

Wise words from my childhood art teacher, Mary Anne Staples, rang in my head this morning. Mary Anne would say, "Julie, do what you know and then go from there." So, here it is- here is what I know.  Today, I can share photos of this class with you, and tomorrow I will hunt down a computer whiz to help me with the rest of it!

(Pictured on right: Bird basin in progress.   Fifteen minutes of brainstorming color combinations and fifteen minutes of mosaic application.)

Why is it that we think we must do it all and know it all today?  This is a lesson that humbles me again and again.  It is a reminder of one of the reasons I am so drawn to the art of mosaic.  My artistic self can create  one section at a time and pace it around my other life roles;  mother, wife, daughter, friend, volunteer, and teacher.  It is a greater truth to say that my artist self needs to create daily in order to remain grounded. The medium allows artistic creation on a daily basis in my life.  Creating a sketch or a partial mosaic for as little a fifteen minutes in the morning ignites me and sends me soaring through the day.  That connection sets the tone for the rest of the day...in all my roles!

Is there something you long for- something that you have pushed aside because you are afraid it will not be good enough, or take too long? 

Try dedicating 15 minutes a day to it- even if that fifteen minutes is spent seeking someone who can help you with your dream.  By honoring your innermost desire with your time, you will feel balanced and energized.  

3 Important Tips for Choosing Grout Color

 

1.  Avoid White Grout 

Most of us associate white grout with mosaics, but white may give your mosaic a sterile feel and will emphasize imperfect cuts.  Try using pale colors such as Custom Brand's (click for color chart) Arctic Ice, DeLorean Grey, or Butter Cream.  A little pigment in your grout will go a long way in making your mosaics look richer, warmer, and more refined.

Exceptions to this rule may include artwork containing blue and white china, tiles, or other forms of white tesserae. 

2.   Know What Your Grout Color Can Do for You!

Grout color can unify, break apart, or be neutral within your artwork.  You must decide what you want it to do for you before you grout.  Let's take a look at the example below:

 

 

3.   All Grout Is a Color- Make a Plan for It

Including the grout color into your color selection at the beginning of your project can help your grout to "make" your project rather than "break" it!  To be sure that your grout color enhances your choice of tesserae, make a small sample board as shown below.

 

Here, I wanted to include brown into my color palette, but I did not want to make the artwork too dark by using brown tiles.  I selected Sable Brown by Custom Brand.  The grout gives this piece a warm feeling and provides a beautiful contrast similar to a stained glass window.

I built this sample on a small board that I purchased at a craft store.  Be sure to prime the wood before you adhere your tesserae.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Mosaics "Broke Out" My Fearless Artist

 



I've spent most of the years of my life in a love/hate relationship with my creativity, art, and choice of mediums.  I had a really crazy cycle of signing up for art classes, throwing away everything I made, and then breaking it off with my creative self because I thought she was a total failure.  That was until I began to literally piece my artwork and my courage back together with mosaics.  

The process of connecting parts to create a whole or " The Big Picture" was so therapeutic that the results were secondary. Even better, was that my "mistakes" took a back seat to the beauty of the mosaic materials.  Art began to fill my walls rather than my trash can, and I learned to voice my creative self through mosaics.

My art began to sell so I opened a small business taking commissions and supplying retail shops.  Eventually, I felt a need to interact with others who share a love or interest for creating mosaic art.  I began to teach mosaic classes at Maverick Mosaics in the Washington D.C. / Northern VA area.  It is, by far, the most rewarding job I have ever had! (With apologies to my former employers).  I am forever thankful to the owner of Maverick Mosaics, Bonnie Fitzgerald, for taking me on as her first instructor, generously sharing her artistic knowledge, and, most importantly, for her friendship.

Not only am I able to teach a subject I am truly passionate about, but I am graced with inspiration from my students.  They choose to carve time out of their busy schedules to come to class and feed their creative selves.  Showing up with the will to create is most of the battle.  My students choose my art classes as a priority and remind me of the importance of "showing up" daily to my own personal art practice.  In turn, I aim to instill the importance of  listening to your own creative self and creating fearlessly (with fabulous technique, of course!)  Together, we carve out time for a creative outlet and try new things.

I believe that our life experiences eventually come together and point the way to a whole or a "Big Picture."- even if it seems to take a lifetime to see this Big Picture!  I created Big Picture Mosaics to journal my personal art projects, experiments, and "how-to's".   I hope to connect with others who admire, create, or wish to create mosaic art.  Welcome!

Julie McKee

Big Picture Mosaics

~Transforming lost pieces of creativity into the whole~ It's not too late...