I’m just getting started at making mosaics, an art form I’ve always admired. My wife and I took a one-night class at making mosaics out of glass so we could learn the basics of handling tools, cutting, and setting. Then I took an online class through Domestica, “Introduction to Mosaic Artwork” by Gary Drostle.
In this second creation I violated many rules of good mosaic making. The spacing between pieces is too close and there is no well-defined pattern in the leaves, but elsewhere. But it is a learning exercize that will make the next one better.
I found the autumn tree painting on line and is just what I wanted to use as a template. It has strong colors, definite shapes, and a nice composition. The finished size is 11″ x 14″.
I used the indirect method where you glue each tile, face down, onto the drawing on craft paper. Then, when finished you flip it over, and lay it into a bed of fresh tile adhesive. Then wet the paper, peel it off and let it set. Finally applying grout between the joints to make it permanent and waterproof.
Pencil on craft paper where all the tiles will be glued. The glue is boiled water and flour, applied with a paintbrush.Most of the tiles are “Sweetie” recycled glass. 7/16″ square x 3/16″ deep.Once done with the dirt road I glued the sky but did not like the look of full tiles. Then on with the leaves but this looked like a yellow blob.A pallet knife came in handy for removing the sky and yellow blob.Out with the sky, in with the mountain.Mexican smalti is also glass but multicolored.I quartered the smalti to look a little more like leaves.Four colors make the sky.Done and ready to flip over into the adhesive.The adhesive is white but could squeeze through and show.I mixed in iron oxide powder to make the glue black.Wet adhesive.Face down, now face up.Pieces that fell off while flipping.Wet the paper and peel it off.This stage is the best but then I followed directions and grouted it.Blobbing grout on this pretty picture…Rub it on, push it in…Then wipe off with a sponge.Once it dried, the grout is gray, not black!India ink painted on each crack helps.Done.
Cardboard Palm 