current-projects

Revisting the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital Mural

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:02:04 +0100

Yesterday, I went back to the Children's Hospital, with photographer Kelly Ash, to take photos of my mural. Kelly is taking the photos that will be in Vidro Impresso Magazine. It was great to see the mural again, now that it's all settled into it's new home. Along with Kelly, I snapped just a few pictures of my own... because how could I not?
Enjoy them!

.. and just a couple of detail shots.

I have also finished putting the last of the glass onto a window for a holistic medical practice in Colorado. This weekend, it will be ready to grout... and then the magic will happen. :) I'll be sure to post photos of it when it's finished. Here it is in all it's ungrouted glory this morning. I'm really looking forward to grouting it.... to seeing all the details pop, and finally being able to see the light filter through the colors.

Vidro Impresso Glass and Architecture Magazine

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:35:16 +0100

I got a wonderful email last week from the Art Editor of Vidro Impresso magazine. They are going to publish a piece about my mosaics. I'm thrilled! A wonderful photographer, Kelly Ash, came by yesterday, and today we're heading to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital to photograph the mosaic mural I did for them. I'm not sure which month my piece will be in, but I'll be sure to post more information about it as soon as I know more details.

Another window in the works

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:31:34 +0100

This week, I've been busy working on a window for a holistic physical therapy studio in Colorado. The idea behind this window was to give the tree a mandala feel. The area outside the circle will be full of the many colors of water. Within the circle is the Spring/Summer tree, full of swirling leaves, and from behind it is the glow of the sun. I've hand cut over a thousand leaves for the tree... and seeing them come to life in the tree makes me so happy! I'm very excited to be working on this piece... and can't wait to see it all come together! It's about 26" x 28". More photos to come as it continues to grow.

New Window Installation

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:39:54 +0100

This week, I've been working on a new window.... a shell surrounded by a burst of color. The window is complete, and yesterday I started the install. Although the edge work now needs to be completed, I couldn't resist taking a picture when I saw that late morning sun pouring through it for the first time. Once the window install is completed, I'll take another photo... but in the mean time, enjoy the glow!

Snow Day in the Studio

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:14:18 +0100

It's finally snowing here in Maine!!! We've waited a long time for this storm, and my kids are over the moon that school was FINALLY closed for a snow day! While they play in the snow, periodically come in for hot cocoa & dry mittens, I'm trying to organize my studio & myself. Lots has been happening in the art world around here lately... and it time for me to lay it all out for myself so I don't loose track of anything.

The Surfboard I created for Surfscapes was recently part of a photo shoot with photographer Colleen Dubois (http://cduboisphotography.wordpress.com/). Myself & the entire Piece Maker Mosaic group (members created creatures for the board!) are feeling proud today that the board I worked on is one of the "poster children" for this cool project.

I finished up a smaller, really fun mosaic commission last week... bring on the Spring!

I'm working on 2 possible designs for Spaulding Rehab Hospital. Spaulding is building a new hospital at the Charlestown Navy Yard, right outside of Boston. I've been asked to create a 7' x 4' mural for a patient floor, collaborating with another artist who has asked to remain nameless for the time being. Here is an artist's rendering of the new Hospital... beautiful.

The idea behind my first concept is that the viewer would be standing, looking through the trees at the bridges ahead of them. With an injury, there is never just one bridge to cross... there are many. Some of the waters will be smaller pieces of glass... rougher waters. Some of the water will be flowing, larger pieces.. smoother, calmer water. The trees will be flowering, Spring trees... new beginnings & hope. The sky will be circular, and done all in light blues... the scene will be bright & colorful... signifying that Spaulding is there to create the perfect setting for their healing... and that you just need to be present, and take the steps, and have the hope needed for healing.

I'll be finishing my second idea/sketch today, and will try to post it tomorrow.

I was also able to finish & grout a mirror frame that has some special meaning for me. My Mother had a bowl owned by my Great Grandmother (we have others still that are in one piece!). One day, while cleaning it, the bowl broke. My Mom saved the pieces, and brought them to me.... so now the bowl will live on in this mirror. - and THIS is why I love mosaics. :)

It's Work in Progress Time!

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:06:15 +0100

UPDATE: The finished frame & eggs that I wrote about below. :)

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Things are busy in the studio... life is plugging along... and I'm trying to enjoy every minute of all of it! I've got a number of projects going on right now, and am trying to keep a few non-commission pieces going at the same time. Here's a little look at whats been going on the studio this past week.

This mirror frame has been hanging around in my studio for the past year. I finally got around to finishing it, and will be getting down & dirty with it and some grout this weekend.

This is a sneak peek at a commission I started this week... two matching Ukrainian Mosaic Eggs. They're proving to be so much fun to make! A welcome break from the glass bead work of this next piece....

My Queen Elizabeth I wardrobe mosaic collage is slowly plodding along. I loose days in the studio working on the glass bead work on that lace.

... and work is about to begin on a large window for a health center in Colorado.

Through all the time I spend in my studio, life continues all around me. :) I join in every chance I get... and there is ALWAYS a space for anyone else who might wan to spend some time creating. This is often the wonderful view I have from my studio desk... my beautiful daughter, gettin' her art on.

Lastly, I got a call yesterday about what could prove to be a VERY exciting new project! - sized about 7 feet x 4 feet, for a new Rehab Center building outside of Boston.

Off to the studio I float now! Have a creative day all!

February already

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:35:07 +0100

Wow... time keeps on chugging along. Here in Maine, it's been a very mild winter. Even now, I can see grass outside when I look out the window. What a strange thing that is. Spring will be here before we know it... and I can't wait to open the windows, hear the birds, listen to the waves at night, and lay in the sand again. But, for now, I'm taking full advantage of the colder months, and working on a number of projects in the studio. First, there was a studio move back in the beginning of January. I'm now in a larger space, more light, more organized. It's been a lovely change!

The natural light shines on the walls of glass in the morning... it always gets me in there to work. :)

I've completed a set of stepping stones & a house number sign for a customer out in Washington state.

I've started designing a window to be installed in a health center in Boulder Colorado. Hopefully, over the next few weeks, I'll be finished with it.... pictures to come! I've also gotten in an order for two outdoor pieces, that I'll be starting in the next few days. By the beginning of March, I should have most of the details for a large mural project I'll be working on for a Children's Hospital here in New England.

In other news.... in August, I'm scheduled to have a solo show, organized by the Cape Elizabeth Arts Commission. - which means that I need to put aside a little bit of time to finish up some of my OWN mosaics. :)

Here in our house, we've started a new mosaic project as well. We're going to fill our kitchen wall with a shell mosaic. We're always bringing home shells, sea glass, cool rocks, etc that we find. It's nice to have a reason to fill our pockets now. The kids are having a great time with it. We have a lot more to go, but here's a glimpse of the progress.

So, as we welcome the 2nd half of winter, I just try to remain in the flow... and keep the creative juices flowing.
Happy February!

New projects are coming!

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:21:32 +0100

So far, it's been a busy year! Two commissions have already left the house, and two more are getting going this week. One is a cool garden stone, and the other is a window heading out to Colorado. Both are fun projects, and came in from great customers! Also, in the very beginning stages, is a 5-story mural for a Children's Hospital. More details on that to come, as things develop. These two smaller commissions will be the last commissions I take on for quite a few months though... with a 31 foot mural coming down the pike, there won't be much time for working on anything else.

2012 sure is starting off with a BANG! :)

Springing into 2012!

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:20:52 +0100

Starting a new year is always so exciting! It's fun to look back at what you've accomplished over the past year... and start making plans for the new one! Here's a look back at my 2011... what a year of new experiences, artistic growth, meeting artists, and of course endless inspiration.

This was the year of the pennies! I completed my penny floor, and even ended up on the front page of the Home & Garden Section of the Portland Press Herald.

One of my mosaics went off to London, to be added to the London Hospital Trust Collection, and was then included in a book created by Karla Duterloo.

I started working with some new galleries this year.... Maine Art Gallery in Kennebunkport, ME, and also L'Attitude Gallery on Newbury Street, Boson Massachusetts. Through L'Attitude Gallery, I was commissioned to do an installation at Boston Children's Hospital.... this tree:

Then, at the same time, I was working on a large mural for the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital, here in Portland Maine.

I organized a collaboration mosaic, featuring all artwork by the Piece Makers mosaic group! This very cool surfboard will be auctioned off in the Spring, and will be installed in an outdoor, public area in Portsmouth New Hampshire.

... and of course, there were lots of mosaic in between all of that, these two being a few of my favorite creations from this year:

...and moving to a new home, family life, balancing work & family, friends, and lots of love and laughter. :) It was a wonderful year. I'm eager to move forward & see all that 2012 will bring!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!

Kennebunkport Maine Christmas Prelude and 25% off Holiday Sale!

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:23:49 +0100

If you're within driving distance (or even if you're not!) you should go check out the Christmas festivities happening in Kennebunkport Maine this holiday season. They call it "Christmas Prelude"... and it's amazing. HGTV voted Kennebunkport #2 Christmas Town USA even!

Maine Art Gallery is right there in the center of all the festivities, and they had some wonderful singers at their store the other day. My Autumn Tree Mosaic was the backdrop, which made me SO happy to see!

SALE!!!!

Head over to my etsy shop this week ONLY, and get 25% OFF everything in my shop! Enter Coupon Code hohoho2011 at checkout. Your savings could be HUGE... it could translate into hundreds of dollars off!