Sly Cats Update

This is an update of my Sly Cat table. I'm going to use the "indirect method" ( http://www.greekmosaics.com/techniques ) which will provide a very smooth flat surface for the table. The tessarae are going to be glass, gold, black, bronze, tan, and white. As is typical, the picture doesn't do the design justice. I'm very excited about this project and look forward getting the tiles laid.

Visit my website: www.muddyrivermosaic.com

Lessons Learned

One main objective of this blog was to provide a source of information for other beginner mosaicists. If I could openly discuss my mistakes, maybe someone else will avoid them. I may be overly optimistic that more then five people ever read my blog, but nonetheless, I'll list a few things I learned from my first real project.

1) Always have a plan. Draw out your design. Determine the colors and plan for the size of the tiles. In fact, I've taken to pulling out that elementary "Color Wheel" just to help me pick out the right colors. To this end, I purchased a sketch pad, some charcoal and color pencils, erasers (lots of erasers), a straight edge, a compass and pencil sharpeners.

2) Prepare your backing. Make sure that you choose the backing for your project carefully. I used 3/4" (20mm) plywood, which provided a thick heavy backing. Thankfully it was thick enough that the wood did not warp with the application of the tiles or the grout. However, I should have prepared the wood with a sealer. The usual recommendation for wood is a 50/50 mix of glue (I used Weldbond) and water. This would have effectively prevented the wood from absorbing any water.

3) Seal your ceramic tiles before you apply them. It works better to seal them before you apply, because sealing them after you've put them on the board adds more water to the project than necessary, is less troublesome and protects the tiles from picking up defects during the construction of your work.

4) Show your work. Maybe I'm wrong, but when you show off your work, you feel a little bit exposed. After all, what you have created is an extension of who you are, and when you put your work out there for display, you are displaying yourself. Being a self-avowed introvert, the act of putting pics of my work online and then asking my friends to take a look (www.muddyrivermosaic.com) , was a bit disconcerting. However, all of my friends and family have been more than gracious and extremely encouraging. I've yet to determine, what percentage of their encouragement was simply being nice and what percentage was the result of a genuine "Wow" response. In the end, it really doesn't matter. It is unrealistic to expect everyone to like what you've created, but hopefully a few will.

5) Be planning your next project. For better or for worse, I'm always one or two projects ahead. I think this is a good plan. Keep some ideas for your next project bouncing around. If you mess up on your current project (and I'm sure you will - as I do), then you can encourage yourself to improve your skill on the next one.

6) Don't be afraid. Lastly, don't hesitate to get started. Don't worry if your project doesn't work out. The only one who loses at this game is the one who wants to start, but doesn't. Send me a message about your website, I'll be happy to come take a look and leave a word of encouragement.

Sly Cats

Beginning drawing of the table top "Sly Cats"

It is finished!!

This is the finished project with the exception of the framing. That will be done in black. I'm pleased with the results. I learned many things that will be helpful in my next project.

I was shaking like a leaf when I grouted it, but was pleased with the choice of the dark grout.

I am already planning my next project: two slinking black panthers in a circle. It will be on a table top.

Pickerel in Clear Water - ungrouted

I titled the work "Pickerel in Clear Water" The next step is to seal the ceramic tiles (I use standard grout sealer) and then place the grout. I've chosen the black grout. I'll post a picture of the finished project.

Grout - The Glue that Binds

Others have made the analogy. They have said, "Mosaics are like life." In my opinion, it is not a great analogy, but for the sake of discussion, let us run with it.

Perhaps their point was that all of our lives are made up small parts. We may have the "spouse" part and the "parent" parent. Of course we all have the "child" part and most of us have the "work" part. Humans, being what we are, each contain the "dark" parts and the "light" parts. We have pieces which strikingly contrast with each other, and we have those pieces which share the same tone.

As in an orginal mosaic, no two designs are identical. It would be impossible to find exactly the same pieces, with the same tonal quality and the same shape. To have them placed on the backing material in exactly the same way is also unrealistic. The application and cutting of the tessarae are so unique, that no two works could be the same. As in life, each work is distinctly unique.

The trick of the finished project often lies in the grout. This material binds the pieces together. If the grout is mixed poorly, or if the color of the grout is wrong, the whole project will suffer. Choosing the right grout is the key to success.

Perhaps that is a good goal for our lives - choosing the right stuff to hold all the pieces together. If we choose poorly, the whole work of our lives will suffer. If we have chosen the wrong glue, or have cut the tessarae poorly, or have chosen the colors of the tiles with haste, then the completed work suffers. If the grout is wrong, then even at the end, our lives will be incomplete or less appealing than they could have been.

I have nerely completed the ungrouted piece. Unfortunately, I've run out of the tile color I need to finish. So, I have to wait until they arrive from the supplier. Hence the philosophical musings about life, grout, and trying to finish the piece well.

Put some thought into your grout. It makes or breaks the artwork, your life.