More Tile!

As I posted earlier, I have been working on a series of tile plaques. This one I made as a gift for the lady who gifted my dear, sweet mare to me. Last week's loss has devastated me, but I know I am not the only one who is hurting. (see gloryofthewind.blogspot.com)

My heart flies with Riyah still, as I know that her spirit lives on.

I know there are other Angel Horses out there, too.

These two petroglyph hangings depict actual Utah rock art. I have three more tile plaques in the works, but I'm trying to space them out with other mosaics so my hands don't end up too calloused from the tile nippers!

$48 each

Horse of a Different Color

This mare and her foal are definitely horses of a different color. This mosaic was inspired by the incredible art of the late Laurel Burch who made the world a more colorful and vibrant place.

This was a fun piece to work on and I let it happen as it would--not a lot of real forethought--just went with the flow. I do definitely prefer working with glass over tile, and the blue and green glass were works of art all on their own. I couldn't bring myself to cut the green into pieces, so I kept it as intact as possible to keep the beauty whole. Glass is just so cool. Actually a solid liquid--go figure that one out!

I love the femininity of the mare and the cockiness of her bright-eyed colt. In someone's world there very well may be horses of these colors!

$195

I have been working on a few fun projects this week. I am doing a series of tile "petroglyph" type mosaics, and they look awesome! I haven't done much with ceramic tile in the last few months and my hands can tell! I am redeveloping my callouses and my forearm muscles with my tile nippers! It's fun though. So what if I end up with Pop-eye arms. Or arm, since I am strictly right-handed! I have lots of floor tiles and it's fun to nip away at them!

$48

I started a small experimental piece the day before yesterday, wanting to see if I could manage to convey sunlight on a horse in a small image. The smaller the image the harder shading becomes since the glass pieces tend to get tinier and tinier. This glass horse mosaic is 8" inches in diameter. ($65) I finished the horse and the background and grouted it yesterday. Then I entered it in the county fair this morning! (Not because I think it is necessarily one of my best pieces, but because it is small and new.) I also entered the glass transom "Mountain Morning" as well as the two petroglyph horses. The horses are for display only, but at least mosaics will get a showing.

Here it is...the sign over the studio door. This will be a great test of the polymer modified thinset! I want to know it outdoor mosaics in Utah can hold up to our harsh temperature extremes. I hope so! I have several other "tests" going on as well, including a little tile horse in my rock garden. Ceramic tile (porous!) is asking for trouble with the snow and ice we get all winter, but I need to know if it will stick. If it's still there this time next year I will be amazed!

More on that next time.....

Studio Sign!

Well, I guess it's about time. I have finally created a studio sign. Haven't got it hung yet, but I will mount it above the door to my studio tomorrow. Salt Creek Mosaics has been around for four years now, and I'll finally look official!

This is a pieced-together version of the sign--three pics merged into one. I'll post a better one tomorrow when it is in place. This at least will show some detail.

A Bump In Life's Road

Things are slowing down somewhat from the last few weeks and I am hoping to get some serious studio time. So many projects in my head and not enough time to get them done! I am currently working on a permanent mosaic sign for my studio. May actually even get completed this week! Ha! Like I would seriously even consider predicting that, since road bumps always get in the way!

My beautiful sweet endurance mare has been diagnosed with an OCD bone chip in her hock and will have surgery the week after next. Ouch on the pocketbook. Sigh. I am listing several mosaics at rock bottom prices in hopes of raising the money to help pay for this very expensive procedure. She is young and healthy and I feel she has every good chance of a strong recovery, so I am going forward with this. Prayers and positive thoughts our way are appreciated. Also, please pass this link to all your friends. (Also see www.gloryofthewind.blogspot.com for more details.)

My Mare Misty $150

Horse of Color $75

Bottled Dreams $75

Desert Sand $95

Afternoon Shade $175

Summer Fun

OK, my last post showed the newest "transom arch," but I decided I should show the first transom arch I made also. I finished this one a couple of months ago. It's entitled: "Morning, Noon, and Night." Those who know me well will understand that I have often been accused of having horses on the brain morning, noon, and night. This is not strictly true. I also have mosaics on the brain as is aptly proven here. This fantasy depiction shows three silver horses galloping through a glassy sky sparkling with mirror glass and shiny gems. It is designed to fit above a doorway (preferably the one closest to the barn!) $175

Finally we have a house number! We have lived here for a year now, and we are formally identified at last! No more explaining to UPS men and friends how to find our house without a number. It's there and it's visible. Just wait till my studio has a proper sign!