Wed, Jul 29th, 2020 This commission was really fun! My friend and client, Diane, has worked with me before and always gives me great freedom in my designs. This project was no different.
Diane has a beautiful home on Snell Island in St. Petersburg, and she has, as many Florida residents do, herons and egrets all around her home. When we approached the project Diane knew she wanted the heron 'by the water' and requested that I use blue glass at the base of the mural. From there, she let me go.
I created a drawing and together, we tweaked it. Then my work in clay began. I started by creating both murals side by side, the way they were to show as the entry to her driveway and home. I sketched, then drew in clay, then created texture and built up the surface. The images slowly appeared and as the clay dried, my details became more crisp.
Once complete, dried and fired in the first kiln, we came to color. Diane had some suggestions and then I asked if I could take her ideas and run. She said 'go for it' and I did. The glazing was inspired, knowing the heron would be seen from the road and up against the taupe background, I needed to make the colors pop. Once glazed, I built the frame, carefully preparing them for the outdoor elements, adhered the tiles and finally, added the crystals of glass. It was complete and she was delighted!
On the wall and viewable from the road, herons are symbolic of stillness and tranquility and so this set was named. Thank you Diane, for all your wonderful support and appreciation of my work.
