Thu, Jan 9th, 2020 Art starts in so many places. This commission began with a game of Pickleball, months of conversations, developing a friendship and then an invitation to my Gulfport, Florida Art Gallery. It was then that Richard and Gina saw what I do when I'm not rushing toward the net with my racket. I shared my ceramic mural work - and their wheels started turning.
Richard and Gina decided they need an art piece for their home, and as always, our work began with a visit and a conversation. I presented a proposal and when we all agreed on all the parts, the contract was signed and the real fun began!
My clients spent many years living in Spain and they now live in a Spanish-style home near Treasure Island, Florida. So it made sense that their mural will reflect their many loves. We finalized the drawing, after going through a few renditions and the work in clay began.
The wall art is 35"h x 50" wide and will hang on the front of their home, next to the entry arch. I made the tiles, laid them out and began with my blank clay canvas. I sketched a cluster of red roofs homes on the left, a winding road through the southern Spanish countryside with poppies and fields of flowers along the route.
The water feature is beyond the red roofs, a nod to the beautiful waters right behind the client's home. I have added lots of subtle texture that will stand out once the glazing begins.
Once the work in raw clay is done, the tiles dried, went into the bisque firing and were prepared for the final glaze firing. Several days in the glaze room, layer upon layer of color was added. A final clear was placed on the surface, into the kiln and out again and the color was complete.
The last step was framing. Cathy measures the tiles on the wooden frame and build builds it by hand, including metal hanging brackets and extra support. Once that is complete, I adhere the tile and we show off "Nostalgia por Andalucia" in The Gallery before it gets installed on the front of their home. Boz and Gina thank you so much for taking our creative journey together! It was a wonderful custom experience.
