Sunday, August 29, 2010

Children's Hospital update

I've got five birds done so far. I'm pulling out some of my favorite glass on this project - the mirrored and iridized glass! I like shiny and twinkly - surprise! :) I took this photo while looking up into the mirror that is mounted above my table. That explains why it's in reverse and why my camera is in it's own photo. It's nice to see such a large piece from a distance, and the mirror is great for that!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Elmer won First Place!!

Last night we went to the Preview Night for the artists at the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition. I wasn't even through the front door when I spotted Elmer. They hung him right inside the front door, and even better, they hung a giant ruffly blue ribbon next to him! I am still flying high! It's quite an honor. Over 2000 people entered this year. Only one blue ribbon in each category - I think there are 8 categories (like photography, sculpture, painting, etc...) My category is ceramics and glass. If you get a chance, please stop by the state fair fine arts building and visit Elmer, the blue ribbon pig!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Six Little Preludes - Work In Progress

I've finished two more birds and started in on the fourth bird. There are six in all.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Elmer has been accepted!

Great news! I just found out Elmer has been accepted in the 2010 Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition! It's not easy getting in, so I'm thrilled! If you go to the fair, please stop by and say Hi to Elmer!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Six Little Preludes - Work In Progress

I'm starting in on a project for Children's Hospital - Minneapolis. This will be on the third floor, which has the theme of "Music". I covered the backer with sheet music of Bach's "Six Little Preludes" because some of the background will be done in transparent colored glass. Now that I've drawn out the design, I'm beginning to mosaic the six little songbirds. Below is the first little guy, using stained glass, iridescent glass, and VanGogh glass. The glass on the birds is opaque, so you will not see the music.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Terrazzo Floor Update

It's always so exciting to see progress on the floor! The floor is basically a U shape with one arm out the side of the U. They have poured the floors for most of the U, and laid the strips for the last part of the U. They haven't done anything to the arm hallway yet. So the floor is in various stages, ranging from untouched to ready for buffing.

I think the most exciting thing I saw this time was the mirror bits sparkling in the water sections. The water is along a long wall of windows, so the mirror bits and mother of pearl chips are really going to pick up that light and shine!
Here the guys are mixing the different aggregate stones together. This mix goes in red epoxy.
Such a pretty Canadian Goose!
This grit is sprinkled on most of the floor. It will help with final buffing.
Trees with brass leaves/fruit.
Front entrance. This is the last part of the U shape that needs to be done.
The end of the U shape where the water starts. You can see the bottom right corner is unsanded. The rest of it has been sanded.
One of the fish. This is before the floor is sanded down. You can't see the aggregate mix at all, only the epoxy color.
Up close mirror bits! You can see there are little holes. Those get filled in with grout.
They added a little water so I could see how it shines! Wait until you see it!
Some little fish. One is still partially covered. Will be exposed fully with more sanding down.