BBQ Iguana

Iguana Sketch

You just never know what is going to inspire you to create art.

I wish I was in Tijuana
Eating barbequed iguana
I'd take requests on the telephone
I'm on a wavelength far from home
I feel a hot wind on my shoulder
I dial it in from south of the border
I hear the talking of the DJ
Can't understand just what does he say?

In case you have no idea where those lyrics are from, here is the video for Stan Ridgway's "Mexican Radio".



So after I did the rough sketch, I scan the drawing into the computer and added some grid lines.  I used to just draw the image on blank grid paper, but I'm trying to make use of the technology.  Let's be honest, mosaic work is pretty much manual labor from start to finish.  Please forgive my minor use of automation.

Iguana with Grid

Next I added a little color pencil, just to see what colors might work well together. I'm thinking that I will use a green for the iguana and a blue background.

Iguana with Color

Next I will transfer the drawing to my already prepared frame.

Already Prepared Frame

And this photo just amused me because it is a photo of my website on my website.

Jack Mast Mosaic's Website

Here is the frame with the drawing transferred.

Frame with transferred drawing

Now to start gluing on some tiles.  For the iguana, I am using ficus and meadow green.

Done Gluing Iguana

I also used teak to add some shadow and depth to the iguana.  I am using sand, some pink color and sky blue for the background.

Gluing Complete

And last but not least, it is time to apply the grout.  For this piece I used plain black grout.  It makes the colors pop out don't you think?

BBQ Iguana Final

Tiles I used on this project 
For this project, I used approximately 425 tiles or about 3lbs.  Specific colors I used were:

Iguana - Ficus (B82) (Opus Mosaic)
Iguana - Meadow (A59) (Opus Mosaic)
Shadow - Teak (B32) (Opus Mosaic)
Ground - Sand (A15) (Opus Mosaic)
Ground - Ice Pink (B76) (Opus Mosaic)
Sky - Sky Blue (A02) (Opus Mosaic)

Here are some fun Iguana facts (Source: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Greeniguana.cfm)

• The green iguana can weigh up to 18 pounds (8 kg) and can reach a length of five to seven feet (1.5 to 2 m). This iguana has a long body covered with soft leathery scales, a long tail and short legs. Its hard, long tail is used as a weapon and for balance when climbing. It has a greenish-gray color and can change color slightly (but not nearly as well as some lizards, such as chameleons). Female and juvenile male iguanas are a much brighter green than an adult male. It has feet with five very long toes with sharp claws on the ends, used especially for climbing. The iguana has a row of spines that extend along its back from the base of its head all the way to the tip of its tail, descending in size from head to tail. It also has a dorsal crest at the base of its head and a dewlap underneath its chin. The iguana also has a row of sharp serrated teeth.

• The male iguana is larger than the female and has a larger dewlap as well. The male may develop a dorsal crest as high as three inches (8 cm). He has broader jowls and a bulge behind the cloacal vent, which contains the hemipenes. It is often hard to tell the sex of juvenile iguanas until these characteristics develop. Another way to tell sex is through femoral pore secretions. During breeding months, secretory activity peaks, and at that time, the dominant breeding males produce more secretion than subordinates and females. Juvenile males that perform visual displays have significantly larger pores than those who do not display. Because of this, it is believed that there is a relationship between social dominance and secretion levels. Femoral pores are also a good way to identify related species. Related species have secretions that are more similar than distantly related species.

• The green iguana is a social species; groups can be found basking and foraging together in trees. The male iguana is typically more aggressive and territorial than the female. They exhibit male-male aggression and a male may injure another iguana in attempts for the alpha position, the best basking perch, the biggest territory, or access to females. Young males who are not yet ready to challenge mature males for territories may hang out with dominant males but are always watchful for signs of aggression.

• The geographic range of the green iguana is from Central to South America and on smaller West Indian islands.

• Green iguanas are both arboreal and terrestrial. They live in the light-shade mosaic of trees along rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, as well as in relatively open, arid areas if food resources are sufficient.

• The green iguana is basically herbivorous. The green iguana spends most of its activity cycle resting, not feeding and foraging like carnivorous lizards. When foraging, the iguana returns to the same foraging site day after day. Its food intake decreases when it changes foraging sites. It gets water from catching rain and condensation on the flowers and leaves of trees, but most comes from the food it eats. It occasionally eats insects along with the vegetation. In the spring the iguana eats leaves of plants in the bean family that are high in protein. A young iguana eats mostly insects. The young are small and potential prey for larger predators including larger iguanas.

• They are fed salad, which includes, kale, sweet potatoes, carrots and romaine lettuce.

• After mating females lay their eggs during the second half of the dry season. The female iguana carries her eggs for two months. Female iguanas usually build nests widely separated from one another in areas with sandy soil. Females use moderately straight terrestrial paths to move from their home site to the nest. After seven days spent at the nest site, nearly the identical path is used to travel back to the home site. Females may migrate as far as 1.8 miles (3 km) to find a suitable nesting site.

• The female iguana lays eggs whether they have been fertilized or not. She lays a group of eggs, called a "clutch", which can be as small as 12 or as large as 30. In the wild only about 35 percent of these eggs survive due to predators, incorrect incubation, or some other kind of hazard. After 90 days, baby iguanas hatch. These one foot (30 cm) long juveniles disperse rapidly after hatching. The juvenile is bright green and vulnerable to predators. The iguana may be sexually mature at 16 months of age and at least nine inches (23 cm) snout-vent length.

• With proper care a captive iguana can live for 20 years.

• Green iguanas are hunted for meat in the tropics, however this does not seem to have much effect on numbers. Iguana meat is less commonly eaten because it is considered a low class food in most areas, but some indigenous people may depend heavily on it.

• Iguana eggs are sold as a novelty food. They are boiled in salt water and sold at more than twice the price of chicken eggs by weight. This species is also used as a favorite bait for catching crocodilians.

• The two prominent nostrils are used to expel a saline solution to regulate its body's salt level.

• The green iguana is a wonderful swimmer. It holds its legs close beside it and uses its tail to propel itself through the water. An iguana can stay under water comfortably for up to 30 minutes.

Something Fishy

I don't have any commissioned pieces in the queue at the moment, so I shall entertain myself with some practice pieces.  For this piece, I shall do a simple goldfish.  As it often happens, this project started with some doodle art during a meeting at work.  I actually enjoy my job and stay fairly engaged, but sometimes the note taking turns to doodling.

Fish Doodle

The next step is to take the idea or doodle and transfer it to a grid drawing.  I decided to make the fish a little more dimensional by having him turn to fact the camera.  He is very photogenic.

Something Fishy Grid Sketch

And now with a little color.

Something Fishy Grid Sketch with Color

After I transferred the sketch to the already prepared frame, I then started gluing on the glass mosaic tiles.  I started with the fish and then added the water plants.

Fish and Plants Glued.

And then I added some dark shadows on the ground underneath the fish and the water plants.

Shadows Glued.

Then I added some pebbles and water to the fish tank.

Pebbles and Water Glued.

Time to do some grouting.  As you can tell from this photo, I am using a gray grout (33% Black, 66% White).  I also protected the frame with some masking tape.  I started doing this to make cleanup easier.

Preparing to Grout

And here is the final product.  I give you "Something Fishy".

Something Fishy Final

Here are a few interesting goldfish facts courtesy of The Goldfish Tank.

Goldfish Fact #1: Goldfish don’t have stomachs!

Goldfish don’t have stomachs and should therefore be fed easily digestible food in lots of small feeding sessions, rather than lots of food at once. This is also why goldfish produce so much waste and why you need a filter to keep their water clean.

Goldfish Fact #2: Goldfish have been known to live for over 40 years!

This goldfish was said to be 45 years old.

Goldfish Fact #3: The collective noun for goldfish is “a troubling”

Just like you’d say “a herd of cows”, you’d say “a troubling of goldfish”!

Goldfish Fact #4: Goldfish can recognise people’s faces

Goldfish can tell different faces apart and are able to distinguish between different shapes, colors and sounds.

Goldfish Fact #5: Goldfish have a memory-span of at least three months

Many people say that goldfish have a memory of just a few seconds, but this is a myth! Goldfish have a memory span of at least three months!

Goldfish Fact #6: Goldfish can grow to over a foot long

Goldfish can be stunted by being kept in tanks that are too small for them and where the water quality is poor. This means that they don’t reach their full potential size. However, goldfish can grow to be over a foot long when kept in the right environment. Check out this massive goldfish!

Goldfish Fact #7: Selective breeding has led to a huge variety of goldfish shapes and colours

Humans have bred many different varieties of goldfish.

Goldfish Fact #8: Goldfish can’t close their eyes!

Goldfish have no eyelids, so they have to sleep with their eyes open!

Goldfish Fact #9: Goldfish have been kept as pets for over 2000 years

Keeping pet goldfish dates all the way back to ancient China!

Goldfish Fact #10: Goldfish can see more colors than humans can!

Goldfish don’t like to be kept in the dark and, unlike humans, they are able to see ultra-violet and infra-red light.

Making More Frames

Six Sets of Mosaic Frames

I spent some time cutting down some of the lumber I purchased last week into pieces for six sets of mosaic frames.  3 sets of 2' x 1' and 3 sets of 1' x 1'.  The actual dimensions of the pieces are 26.25" and 14.25". Click here to see how I cut these pieces and how they get assembled into frames.

Check out the final result of these frame pieces as they become mosaic art pieces in my Gallery.

Kokopelli

I'm working with a new client on a mosaic art piece.  At first I thought we were going to something with penguins, but her husband didn't like that idea.  Next she decided to do something with a Southwest theme.

I'm partial to penguins BUT [my husband] isn't, so it would need to be something Southwest in theme, like Kokopeli or cactus or coyote, etc. Whatever strikes the artist and whatever the artist can work into mozaic.

She sent this note to me several weeks ago.  I read it at the time and in my brain I logged it as Southwest theme and then continued to finish the other mosaic projects that I had in the Queue.  Well today, I finally got back around to this project and I re-read her note.  Cactus - OK.  Coyote - OK.  Kokopelli - What? What the heck is a Kokopelli.  Thank goodness for the internet.

According to Wikipedia - Kokopelli is a fertility deity, usually depicted as a humpbacked flute player (often with feathers or antenna-like protrusions on his head), who has been venerated by some Native American cultures in the Southwestern United States. Like most fertility deities, Kokopelli presides over both childbirth and agriculture. He is also a trickster god and represents the spirit of music.

Kokopelli Reference Drawing

Next I did a pencil drawing of a desert sunset and incorporated Mr. Fertility.  And I added shadows to everything.

Kokopelli Rough Draft

And then I added some desert sunset colors.

Kokopelli Rough Draft with color

Next we send to the client to get her approval and/or changes.

Update 12 Nov 13 - I received the following from my client.

"Jack I love the concept. You did a great job of researching kokopelli and then incorporating the Southwest theme. I also like the shadows idea. What colors are you planning to use?"

Here is what I was thinking for colors.

(Click on links below to see colors)
For the frame, I was thinking golden mahogany.  I used it for my fox mosaic.
Sky - Shades of purples (Iris, Fig, Pansy), Shade of Yellow (Citrus)
Cactus, Kokopelli, and Shadows - Night Black
Desert Floor - First Layer Terra Cotta, Second Layer Sand
Sun - China White

If you would like to change any or all of the colors, just tell me which company and which colors and I will order the colors you want.  The three tile companies I primarily use are Mosaic Mercantile, Opus Mosaics and Maryland Mosaics.

Now that the client has approved the colors, we prepare the frame and transfer the sketch.

Prepared Frame

Sketch Transferred to Frame

And here is the final piece.  A few days for the grout to dry and off it goes to its new home.

Kokopelli Final (Click on Photo for Larger View)

Creative Minds Are Rarely Tidy

Creative Minds Are Rarely Tidy

Creative Minds Are Rarely Tidy.  When I first started doing mosaic work, I sorted all of my different mosaic tiles into bins.  I was very organized.  But then as the creative mania overtook me, I spent less and less time sorting my materials.  Now the tiles pretty much remain in the plastic bags from the vendors until I use them.

Check out the result of what happens to these loose tiles in my Gallery.

Mini Bird Mosaic

This is the first of what I am calling my mini mosaic series.  My goal is to make some less expensive pieces for my customers who want a Jack Mast Mosaic, but can't plunk down the big bucks.   For this piece, I skipped all of the preliminary design work and sketched my drawing directly on the mini mosaic frame.

Bird Mosaic Drawing on Frame

And then I immediately started cutting and gluing.  For this piece I used inexpensive mosaic stones from Stone-By-Stone (SBS).  The entire piece took about one hour to cut and glue.

Bird Mosaic Gluing Complete

And here is my completed mini bird mosaic.

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

How To Grout Your Mosaic

Now that we have cut and glued all of our tiles to the mosaic base, it is time to apply the grout. Before we begin though, here are a few helpful hints.

• Once we start the grouting process, we have to finish the job.  I often worry that I will get some important phone call during while grouting.  Once the grout dries, it is really really hard to clean up.
• Grout is a little dangerous because it contains concrete.  Concrete can harm you in two ways -- breathing its dust and contacting your skin. Therefore, please wear appropriate safety apparatus. Wear a mask to prevent inhaling the dust.  Wear gloves and eye protection to keep the grout off of your skin.  
• No matter how careful you are, grouting is messy work.  Don't attempt to grout your work on the dinning room table.  I'm not saying whether or not I have actually made that mistake.

Now to begin grouting:

Step 1 - Collect Your Tools - Collect up all of the required tools and equipment before you start mixing the grout.  The clock starts ticking the minute the water hits the grout. Here are the things we will need:

• Grout ~ sanded or unsanded.  Use sanded for gaps of 1/8 inch or larger.  If you are only doing a small project, you can use the small containers of grout sold in the craft store.  Otherwise, I recommend buying a larger bag at Lowes or Home Depot.  It is a lot more cost effective.
• Mixing container.
• Wooden paint stick or spoon for mixing grout 
• Latex gloves to protect your hands. Grout is caustic and will dry out and possible irratate your skin.
• Mask - Use will mixing to prevent getting concrete dust in your lungs.  
• Safety glasses to make sure you don't splash concrete into your eyes.
• Small float ~ you can substitute this with a stuff rubber spatula.
• Bottled water ~ Use bottled water if you have funky tap water. In some areas, tap water can slightly discolor your grout. You only need a small amount of bottled water for mixing the grout.
• Paper towels - To clean up the mess you will make.  Notice I didn't say "If" you make a mess.
• Pail or bucket ~ fill with tap water
• Plastic sheets for covering table work surface or floor surface.

Step 2 - Put on your safety gear.

Mask and Eye Protection

Latex Gloves

Step 3 - Mix the grout - You will need about 1 pound of grout for each square foot.  I like to mix different colors of grout to get exactly the shade I am looking for.  For example two parts white and one part black gives you a medium gray color grout.  Or you can just do it the easy way and buy exactly the color of grout that you wanted from the store.

Add dry grout to mixing container

The we add the water.  We are looking for grout that is the consistency of peanut butter.  Not too dry and not too soupy.  Just add a small amount of water at a time and keep mixing until you get the consistency that you want.

Mixing Grout

Step 4 - Apply the Grout - Next we apply the grout to the mosaic.  I like to start by dropping portions of grout in the center and in the corners of the mosaic.

Next we use our float to work the grout into all of the nooks and crannies.

Grout applied to mosaic

Step 5 - Clean up the Tile - Next we alternate between a wet sponge and paper towels to remove the grout from the surface of the tiles.  Be careful not to press too hard.  We just want to remove the grout from the surface and not the grout lines between the tiles.

Paper Towel

Wet Sponge

Step 6 - Admire your handiwork

Completed Project

Step 7 - Stop Admiring your handiwork and quickly clean up all of your tools and your work space before the grout that you slopped around everywhere hardens.

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