why I teach mosaic to kids

"Together We Can Change The World", designed and created by 4th grade students.....  3x5',stained glass and glass tile on cement board panel. 

together we can change the world

 This mosaic is the last of my Granville County Elementary CAPS Residencies.  The students had a contest for designs that fit the theme "together we can change the world".  This beautiful design was chosen, not only since it fits the theme perfectly, but was also a brilliant design for mosaic: large open shapes, not a lot of small finicky detail, clear imagery.  Over 100 4th graders collaborated on this project yesterday and today, and it will be installed/grouted tomorrow.

Students used precut (by me) and tumbled stained glass, as well as glass tile, adhered with thin set to a cement board panel with aluminum edge trim.  All tones of skin were represented in the hands, from pale pinkish white to dark brownish black, and all of the creamy caramel browns in between!  LOVE IT!  Will try to remember to post a final photo tomorrow!

productive snow day

Snow day for Granville County meant a postponed residency (until tomorrow) but/and a productive mosaic day at home.  Add a 2-hr delay for my kids (enough so they weren't grouchy, but then gone by 830am) = happy artist.

starting to grow

This mosaic is just starting to grow... a little tentative and sloppy at first.  We'll see how it takes off tomorrow.

valentine treat

Glass or candy??? Italian smalti is better than candy to a mosaic artist; sumptuous colors, no fat, delicate and rich.  Expensive, yes, and worth every Euro.

orchids

I found out there is an orchid grower close by in Morrisville NC, called the Orchid Trail.  They have several greenhouses full of over 100 varieties of orchids.  One greenhouse houses their private collection, and visitors may have a free tour.  It's a small local business, not a known tourist destination.   I took a friend there just before Christmas, and was delighted to see so many beautiful flowers.

They had several greenhouses with specimens for sale, at very reasonable prices.  Some were for corsages, some were the common hardy varieties you can find for sale at the local stores, and some were  intricately alien-like and downright weird, but weird beautiful, not weird ugly.

I think this next one is called a ladyslipper (sorry botanists if I have it wrong), and the color was like the most gorgeous Caribbean sunset that I just wanted to crawl inside it's little pouch and live there.

Up for a challenge?  Find some really cool little spot close to home, that you've never been to before, and check it out over the weekend.  Embrace these small local businesses, spread the word, buy their products, enjoy what they have to offer.  Be inspired.

monday reminder

I worked on taxes and computery paperwork all weekend.  Which was good, and productive, and necessary.  But not especially inspiring or exciting, so I needed a reminder today.

A reminder of  an inspiring, exciting adventure.. and all of the everyday beauty I encountered.