New mosaics for the garden - WIP

Well, due to other commitments I am not able to engage in mosaic activity as much these days, however, I have begun a project to brighten up my own garden using some new methods; most importantly, use a backing :D

I'm currently working on covering up the plain concrete coping stones on some of the garden walls in order to add a bit of extra colour to the garden.

The above will be a sort of contemporary flower design.  From previous experience, I'm using mirror tiles which will hopefully sparkle in the sunlight.  This is designed to fit at one end of a coping stone, sort of like a full stop at the end.  I'm using bright bold colours here rather than shading as the intention is to catch the eye with bright warm colour.  This ensures positive feeling throughout the year.  Sometimes gardens can go a bit cold and unwelcoming in the darker days when everything dies back.

I should note that I've actually measured the dimensions properly for this one rather than just using random shapes or outlines.  It wasn't easy, but the results can be far more satisfying if you're trying to get something symmetrical :)

The next image is a different design.  I've taken the shading idea from the Yin Yang mosaic and added with mirror tiles to create the image of waves in the sea.

I don't have an exact location for this at the moment but it may well continue from the flower design.

Although it's not very clear here, I've again added some gold mirror tiles just add a bit more sparkle in there.  I'm really experimenting here as I usually stick to quite bold designs.  This is not actually fixed in position, nor is it in it's final location, but it gives an idea of how it will look once complete.

I am also in the process of creating a much larger mosaic inspired by the Condor mosaic, but I'll be keeping quiet about this one for now ;)

Not as easy as it looks....

The title pretty much says it all.  Doing a mosaic needs a lot of patience and determination, however it doesn't mean you cannot come up with satisfying results at the end.

I have to say I have made a few mistakes but I have learnt considerably from them.  Which brings me to the Condor Mosaic I have covered before.  It was, at the time, quite an achievement as it took me so long.  However, if I was to undertake anything similar now I would certainly be doing things differently.  For example, actually do the mosaic on a backing first so that I am able to work inside and in comfort.  You can see from the following images the circumstances I had to endure.

I considered attaching it straight to the concrete breeze blocks a quick and easy option.  What I hadn't bargained on was the weather during the year I created it!   Also, because the wall I attached it to wasn't flat, it was especially difficult to get the tiles as even as possible.  If anyone else is going to do a mosaic outside, I would strongly advice doing it on a backing first; much better to do these things in the comfort of a warm area rather than shivering under a garden parasol in the rain!

Another mistake I made involved the grouting.  Now, I had to pretty much get the grout on as quickly as possible and because of weather conditions and the angle of the mosaic, it wasn't so easy to wipe off the excess.  So, the grout dried, and stayed dry on the surface of the tiles for a while.  Not a good idea as I had to wait until dryer weather before I could remove it.  This involved continuously sanding it down with sandpaper and taking it off with various other tools, including the hammer and chisel!

I mean, once it was complete, I was very pleased with it and loved to see the mirror tiles sparkle in the bright sunlight.  But it was a terrible struggle to create.  Fortunately, I have learnt from my mistakes and have not been put off as a result.  Already I am embarking on a new project, this time with something to back it on first.  This will allow me to work as a well on a flat surface and thus spare some awkward positions which I previously had to endure on bare tarmac.

PHEW!!!