Thu, Oct 16th, 2014 I'm working long days in the studio creating a 30" x 72" custom tile wall art piece for Rob in Texas. I began the first day laying out 40 clay tiles on my table and sketched out the image we agreed on.
The sketch occurs using a chopstick the first day, then altering and stretching the clay canvas to create the undulating surface.
On day two the carving begins and lasts for a few hours. Once the larger carving is complete, day three brings me back to the clay studio to finish the 'clean-up' work. The hand-made tiles are cleaned along the edges, numbered and placed on the shelf to dry.
This custom tile wall art mural has been drying just about 10 days and is in the bisque now. The next step will be glazing. Rob asked if he could name the piece...and he has. It's titled "John Muir". Rob loves the outdoors and is a fan of Scottish nationalist & preservationist, John Muir, who is also affectionately known as the 'Godfather of National Parks'. A perfect homage to a visionary and environmentalist. Thanks Rob, for sharing that info with all of us!
John Muir has been glazed and fired - awaiting framing. Enjoy the process shots below of this creation of this custom wall art tile. I added a 'live time' video of me carving the river that runs through John Muir.
