Foxxy Lady

Foxxy Lady (Click photo for larger view)

So, I'm breaking with my tradition of not posting anything about a project until it is 100% complete.  I'm doing that for several reasons.  1) Folks keep asking me what I am working on. 2) I can't finish this project until the postal delivery system delivers some mosaic tiles to me. So, while I am waiting for my tile shipment, I am staying busy building more frames, and updating my blog.

My latest project is titled "Foxxy Lady".  I was inspired to do this project by a project that my daughter Rebecca is working on at the University of Alabama.  She is taking a graphic novel class as part of her creative writing minor. (Yes, graphic novel AKA comic books) She and a classmate are doing a story that involves a fox. Rebecca posted some rough drafts of her fox drawings on her website.  I told her that I was thinking about doing a fox mosaic and she gave me a few reference photos to study.

I figure that since I've recently done a reptile and an amphibian, it is only right that I give equal air time to the mammals. (Go Mammals!)  So after studying the reference photos that Rebecca provided, I did a few sketches and settled on this for my subject.

Rough Sketch (1 of Many)

I then took this rough drawing, refined it, added color and transferred it to a grid drawing.

Color Grid Drawing

Next I transferred the fox drawing to my already prepared Mosaic Frame.  This frame is 1' x 2' and is stained with Golden Mahogany.  

Fox on frame

And then I started cutting and gluing the pieces.  

Cutting and Gluing

I've finished gluing the fox.  The next step will be the background.

Completed Fox

That's it for today.  Hopefully the post man will deliver the tiles I am waiting for by tomorrow so that I can complete this project.  Stop back periodically and I will post additional pictures as work on this project continues.

Update on Monday, 7 Oct 2013

I received my tile shipment today and started Foxxy Lady's habitat.  First I made her a nice meadow to frolic in. Guess what the color I used for the meadow is called?  Yep, you guessed it.  It is called Meadow.

  

Fox with Meadow Added

Update on Tuesday, 8 Oct 2013
Progress continues.  Foxxy now has a few trees to hide behind in case something scary happens.  I think I need about one more night of gluing in order to complete this piece.

Fox with Shadows and Trees

Update on Wednesday, 9 Oct 2013
So I didn't quite finish all of the cutting and gluing on this project tonight.  I had to work really late at my day job and I just didn't want to pull an all nighter.  This is a hobby after all.  I'll just finish the last bit of sky tomorrow.

Fox with Trees and part of sky

Update on Thursday, 10 Oct 2013
The cutting and gluing is complete.  After letting the glue dry for a day or two, I will grout this project over the weekend.

Fox Mosaic Gluing Complete

Update on Saturday, 12 Oct 2013

The grouting is complete.  I decided to use a gray colored grout.  I didn't have any gray color grout, so I made some using 2 parts white and one part black.  I'm happy with the result.  It is exactly what I was going for. This mosaic is 1' x 2' and requires about one pound of grout.

Preparing to Grout

I applied the gray grout using a float and worked the grout into all of the nooks and crannies.  

Globs of Grouts

And finally here is the finished  project.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you "Foxxy Lady".

Foxxy Lady (Click on photo for larger view)

Check out some of my other mosaic art pieces in my Gallery.

Tile Color List - Here is the list of tiles I used on this project.

Meadow - Meadow Green - Opus Mosaics (.5 lb)

Trees - Ficus Green - Opus Mosaics (1 lb)

Tree Trunks - Oak - Opus Mosaics

Sky - Sky Blue - Opus Mosaics (.25 lb)

Shadows - Slate - Mosaic Mercantile (.1 lb)

Fox - White - Someplace

Fox - Mocha - Jennifer Mosaics 

Fox Feet - Black - Opus Mosaics

Fox Eyes - Sand - Opus Mosaics

Random Fox Facts

Mammal. The red fox is one of 21 species of fox, and the largest member of the fox family. As adults, they hunt alone, not in packs as do wolves or dogs. Their incredible sense of hearing helps them locate prey through thick grass or even in underground burrows. They use scent as a form of communication. Foxes live in dens that they dig or borrow, often using the same den for several generations. Red foxes have been the subject of many tales, depicted as cunning and sly. They are particularly clever at making friends with cats and dogs, charming them to the point where they are allowed to share the same food dish.

Diet

Omnivore. Rabbits, rodents, game birds, beetles, fruit, insects, worms and carrion.

Habitat

Range of habitats, including forests, woodlands, tundra, farmland, and suburbs.

Grab Bag Sea Turtle

So, normally I just start one of my mosaic projects with a sketch and purchase the tiles required to complete the picture.  This time I did things a little differently.  One of my mosaic tile suppliers, Mosaic Mercantile, was having a clearance sale.  They had a grab bag special that contained a large number of tiles at a fraction of the price I usually pay.  So I decided to go for it.

What I got was a bunch of crazy shimmery colors that I had no idea what to do with.  My first step was to sort the tiles into general color categories and types.  I found that after I had done this that there were lots of blues and browns in the grab bag.  I started figuring out what might fit this color combination and what I came up with was a sea turtle.  So next I did my rough sketch.

And then I did a better grid drawing.

And then I transferred the drawing onto my already prepared frame and started cutting and gluing.  I cut the pieces for his shell into hexagon shapes.  It gives him a nice turtley look.

Pretty soon my buddy mr. grab bag started to look like a sea turtle.

Now he just needs a proper habitat.

And once the gluing is done, it is time for the grout.

And at last he is finished.  I give you the Grab Bag Sea Turtle.

Check out some of my other mosaic art pieces in my Gallery.

I Got A New Dealer

So, I've probably mentioned this before, but I am just a little hooked on the whole mosaic thing.  It's not a terribly expensive habit, but it does cost me some money.  If I were a golfer, a round of golf would cost me a heck of a lot more than my little broken pieces of glass cost.  But everyone who knows me, knows that I am frugal.  Some would use stronger language than that, but lets just stick with frugal for now.

As a result of my frugality, I am constantly looking for was to decrease the cost of my mosaic addiction. One of my cost cutting moves was to start making my own frames for my mosaic art.  I've got them down to about $3-$4 bucks for a 1' x 2' frame.

My next move was to find a cheaper supplier of glass tiles.  I started off with retail from places like Hobby Lobby, Michael's and even good old Amazon.com.  They typically didn't stock the colors I was looking for and the prices were just too high for the number of tiles I have been going through.  I then started shopping around online.  I've purchase tiles from several different companies including Mosaic Mercantile.  I then came across Opus Mosaics.  The prices seemed very reasonable, but I couldn't really get a good feel for their color selection from the online photos.  And each of the different companies I have purchased from has a different name for the same colors.  I noticed that Opus Mosaics had a sample board that shows each of their colors.  It just arrived today.  This will be very handy because it takes all of the guesswork out of picking the right colors.

OK, so now I just need to order some tiles for my next project.  I wonder what it will be?

Farm Living

Green acres is the place to be
Farm living is the life for me
Land spreading out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside

New York is where I'd rather stay
I get allergic smelling hay
I just adore a penthouse view
Darling I love you, but give me Park Avenue

The chores, the stores, fresh air, times square

You are my wife, goodbye city life
Green Acres we are there

OK, this piece is my ode to the Green Acres TV Show.  I used to love this show.  I haven't seen it in a while.  But anyway, I got to thinking about farm living and how it might be a nice change of pace.  This piece is the result.

As always, I started with a rough sketch.

Rough Sketch

And then I created a more detailed grid drawing to refine everything. The biggest addition was the windmill.  I was afraid it might be too much detail for the tile work, but I thought it was worth a try.

Grid Drawing

Next, I transferred the drawing to my already prepared frame.

Transferring Grid Drawing to Frame

So this is what the backing looks like before I start gluing on all of the pieces.

Farm Living transferred to Frame

I usually throw a few handfuls of tiles on the board just to make sure that the colors work together.  And then I start with the cutting and gluing. 

Farm Living Gluing

And after many hours, the gluing is finally done.

Farm Living Gluing Complete

And then it is time for grout.  For this piece I am using a grout color called "Harvest" which is a neutral sandstone color.  This piece  is 1' x 2' and requires about a half pound of grout.  Mix the grout until it is the consistency of peanut butter.

Farm Living Preparing Grout

And then we apply the grout using a float.

Farm Living Applying Grout

And after the grout has been worked into all of the nooks and crannies, it is time to clean off the excess.

Farm Living Cleaning Grout

And then at last the piece is complete.  I give you "Farm Living".

Farm Living Complete

Check out some of my other mosaic art pieces in my Gallery.

I Was Framed

How to make mosaic frames

A few people have asked me where I get the frames that I use for my mosaic art projects.  I make them myself.  They aren't very fancy, but they look nice and are very sturdy. Around the studio, we euphemistically refer to them as "Rustic".

It all starts at the hardware store.  I usually buy about eight frames worth of material at a time.

Frame Lumber

Once I get home, I start with the outside edges of the frame which is made of some 2 x 2 firing strips.

Raw Lumber

First I cut a 1/4 inch slot down the middle by making a few passes with a Rockwell RK3440K VersaCut Circular Saw. You could also use a table saw for this task, but I don't have room for one in my studio, and the VersaCut is very to use.  It comes with an adjustable guide, so I just set the depth of the cut and the distance from the edge of the board and I am off and running.

Firing Strips with Slots Cut

I then use a 1/4 inch wood chisel to remove the remaining material. I also run a sander along the cut edge.

Removing remaining material

Next I cut the 2 x 2s to length and put a 45 degree angle on the sides of each piece.  I use a miter saw for this task.

Cutting pieces on Miter Saw

And then I am done with the individual frames sections.

Finished piece

After I have all of the pieces cut, I dry fit everything together first to make sure that they fit nicely.  Then I use wood glue on all of the touching pieces.

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Once everything is glued and fitted together, I use a strap clamp to hold the entire thing in place while the glue is drying.  I've tried a few different clamp systems, but the strap clamp is ideal for this sort of thing.  It provides even pressure from all sides.  The system I am using is the Bessey VAS23 Vario Angle Strap Clamp.  I certainly endorse it.  It beats the heck out trying to line everything up with multiple standard clamps. Oh, make sure you wipe off all of the excess glue before it dries.

After the glue has dried for a day or two, I sand down all of the surfaces.

Sanding Frame

And then I apply some color of stain to the outside of the frame.  

Applying Stain

And there you have a nice canvas for your mosaic art work.  

  Check out how I use these frames in my Gallery.

Buzz Bee

Ok,  In keeping with my recent living creatures theme, here is my latest piece titled "Buzz Bee".  You all know how I work by now.  I do a doodle.

That then translates into a slightly more detailed drawing.

And then I start madly gluing bits of broken glass onto a frame.  I say broken glass, because that is exactly what they are.  Tiny little slivers of extremely sharp glass that lay in wait for me to jab myself to the extent that I have to go running to Mary for a bandaid.  And Mary is not very sympathetic to my plight.

And after I have finished bleeding for my art, I then slather the whole thing up with a liberal application of grout.  For this piece, I decided to go with a nice sandstone grout.

And he final result is "Buzz Bee".  Say hello to the nice people Buzz Bee!

Check out some of my other mosaic art pieces in my Gallery.