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Outdoor MosaicsEvaluation by Julia Gillon |
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To view the original article by Julia Gillon please follow this link
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As I approached The Four Winds Inspiration Centre, an oasis of calm unfolded before me. The centre - my classroom for the next two days - was set in a rambling sculpture garden in the heart of Edinburgh. This was the land of lizards on walls and tall fantastical mushrooms, a place inhabited by mosaic glitter balls and brightly coloured bird baths. It was in this land, I was to find the inspiration and skills to create some outdoor artwork for my garden. |
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Having done a mosaic course many years ago, I wasn't sure what new things I could learn from this outdoor course, but living in Scotland, weather proofing had to be top of my list. The main enemies of mosaic in the Scottish climate, are frost and water, so if you're inspired by famous architect and mosaic enthusiast, Antoni Gaudi, and you want to chop up crockery for your designs, take note. Not all crockery is equal. For instance, take granny's dainty bone china tea set. It may be delicate, but don't be deceived. It can withstand the elements with the best of them, we were told by tutor Jan Kilpatrick, including stoneware, which is fired at a very high temperature, making it very tough. Earthenware, on the other hand, we were told should never be used as it is not tough enough for outdoor pieces. Other mosaic staples, such as glass tesserae - also known as swimming pool tiles, glass, mirror, glass beads, pebbles and stones are all great for outdoor work. We were even shown how to cut into a glass bottle to recycle the glass for our work - a simple way to create art on the cheap, although not as simple as Jan's demonstration made it look. |
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If it's simple you're after, then stepping stones are the thing for you (see main photo). My design consisted of glass marbles, pebbles and the bottom of a green glass bottle. Others made use of an assortment of shells and glass pebbles too. The pieces were so quick and easy as we laid our design out in reverse in builders sand then carefully back filled with a mixture of sand and cement. At the end of the second day, we tipped them out of their plastic moulds to see what we had created and were amazed by the results. Just a few weeks to dry fully and toughen up and the process will be complete. Had I made several on the day, I would be well on my way to a sparkly path by now. |
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However, we moved on to something a little more complex - a three dimensional piece. Some opted for a bird bath. I settled on a spherical ball, which turned out to be time consuming, but fun. It certainly has added a touch of sparkle and glamour to my garden. As have the slate pieces we made next. I was amazed to come away with six pieces, including a snail made from pieces of plate, a shell, two cup handles, a pebble and some green bottle glass and a caterpillar made from some glass beads and bits of cup handle. That's the great thing about mosaic work. It can be as simple or as complex as you want and you can use so many materials in one design. Your imagination really has no bounds. |
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Jan Kilpatrick will be running another outdoor mosaic weekend on 29-30 August at the Four Winds Inspiration Centre. She will also be running a making mosaics weekend in September. For more about the centre and all the courses it offers visit www.fourwindsedinburgh.org.uk |
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