Signature Birdbath

I am so happy and at peace since I have returned to my "mosaic roots". I have been doing mosaics for over 10 years after taking a little course through the Toronto Board of Education. The original teacher was very nervous as she had never taught before, but the group instantly made her feel at ease. I cannot remember my first project but the next year I took another course which combined stained glass and mosaics and Gino was the teacher. He was terrific and even as of last year, he gave me scraps of stained glass from the classes so that I could do my art. My sister Michele and I participated in many Artisan shows including the Distillery District and Queen West Art Crawl. The first year at the Distillery we sold out and closed up early! We happened to be situated right next door to the coffee shop. Frankly I no longer enjoy the shows; the days are too long and for every great comment, there are those that swing by and state they can do what we are doing, for free! Okay, do it then! I prefer my art as a happy hobby; it is my intention to invite the neighbours over this year for a twilight garden tour; I'll put my work out and see if anyone bites. I also love teaching, particularly children. Garden stones are a fun introduction to mosaics. And of course, life would not be complete if I wasn't continuing to take courses. www.GlassMosaicCanada.com is run by the Gabras'; a wonderful couple who are passionate about the art of mosaics. Tonight is class night! Can't wait.

Tile Mosaics

I started a class about 3 weeks ago, learning the how-tos of the ancient art of mosaics. I have been doing mosaic art for about 10 years however never with tiles, only cut glass. I love the intensity of tile work simply because it is truly like a giant puzzle. Cutting a tile the exact dimension of a space, then working it in by colour, texture and design. I am making mistakes, which is great. The teacher, Akram Gabra points out things in my mosaics that I just can't see. On Thursday I disagreed with the lines of the tail of my fish (see photo) but on a second look, I agree it looks weird and the tail should flow more from the body. I will have to chisel out the tiles. I believe truly that we learn more from our mistakes.

I'm enjoying my classmates too. They are a lively group and we gather around the table and do our projects, chatting away. I've always ascertained that the mosaics are like a giant quilting bee, only with tile or glass. The conversations are interesting and I will definitely sign up for the second go-round before the summer season kicks in and everyone enjoys warm weather.

www.Evergreen.ca (The Brickyards, Bayview Ave)

Not sure if I've expressed my love for the Brickyards as of late, but it continues...even more so since it's coming into spring and soon there will be fresh vegetables and plants to be purchased. Yesterday was the busiest I have seen the indoor farmer's market; since I'm a new convert to the Brickyards, I can't even imagine what it looks like in the summer. Actually, I recall last year wondering why all the cars were parked along Bayview Avenue. It looked like a Green P Parking ticket-writer's dream! Anyway, on the first door inside, to the right is a gal that sells astonishingly good sausages. They are frozen but are just organic meat and spices. We particularly like the hot Italian. As you walk through, there is the waffle gal; she also makes a great apple fritter. Progressing, there are the crepe people-have not tried their crepes yet as the line-ups are usually huge, even when it's not busy. Dianne, my friend sells her jewellry in this area. (http://www.etsy.com/dibajewlry ) I love her stuff (photo to the side)

As you walk toward the middle building, there are fabulous french fries with rosemary salt on them. Yum. Apparently this is Jamie Kennedy's son, however that should be verified.

Inside, there is a baker I love; her mini pizzas are to die for; she has tiny quiches as well for 3$ which are great. Finally, the desert place....excellent in the third building to the left. He has a muffin topped with fresh fruit. Very yummy.

Check it out; every Saturday from 9-1.

Glass Mosaic Canada

Although I've been doing glass mosaics for over 10 years, I decided this year that I would take a "real" mosaic class, learning the art the way it was done thousands of years ago. Interestingly, while at the RE/MAX sponsored home show, I met Akram Gabra of Glass Mosaic Canada (http://www.glassmosaiccanada.com/) What first captured my eye was the fabulous tile Marilyn Monroe featured in his booth. The work is so intricate, so beautiful, so detailed, I can't begin to tell you. The piece is featured (left) but it does not capture the true magnificance of the workmanship and the time involved to do something like this. I signed up for his classes the next day. To be honest, at the beginning, I found the work labourious. Tile is very different from glass. Essentially you have more control when working with glass as it is finer. Akram's wife Fadia, gently guided us through the first phase which is doing the drawing and then starting the tile work. She is lovely and kind. Both Fadia and Akram have artistic spirits-they love what they do and are making a go of it in their shop on The Queensway. Today was my second class. I'm a convert-it's not that I won't work with glass anymore-I have thousands of pieces that have been donated from various stained glass studios, however, I like trying something different. There are going to be classes offered whereby you can learn how to do faces. I think I'd like to do a mosaic of my son when he was very little. Also, of course, Elmo Bower (dog).

Check out the beautiful Marilyn and see for yourself. If an old art form interests you, the classes are on-going and the teaching is terrific.

Rooster about 2/3 complete!

Filling in the background with cream and white cut glass. Starting to think about grout colours. Here's what I have thought so far.

Burnt reddish brown for gold at lower part.

Yellow or Gold for the actual roosters

Yellow or Gold for the gaps in the cream/white background

Coq Royale will be mosaiced in red.

Artist Project Toronto

Barn Door 2010

I love looking at art, doing art, selling art...you name it, I love art! So, when the Artist Project comes to town, I'm there. This year, there were over 200 exhibitors. My favourites were there, Alison Hodson, Anne Shiers, etc. Some new people also. I've enclosed some of Alison's work, simply because I love it and think she's just a lovely, engaging person. Alison originates from Oakville and now lives out in Whistler, B.C. I commissioned a piece from her last year (see above). She takes a photograph and then sews, in fine detail, designs and tactile elements. Beautiful work, but you have to see it up close to really appreciate it.

Some honourable mentions at the show:

Gabrielle Castonguay (www.gabriellescastonguay.com) Enamelist. She works with metal and fused glass; lovely, ethereal work. She is great, too!

Dana Jaunzemis (www.danathebird.com) She is a ceramicist, mixed media and jewellery designer. She had a fantastic elephant-compelling work made out of birch bark.

Mary Karavos (www.karavosart.com) Paper collage artist: beautiful work, colourful. She was a talkative, bubbly gal who really enjoys what she does.

Creating A Background

The background of the Roosters has started. I opted for a clear amber colour to create the illusion of the ground. Notice the small glass bits (this is grain/corn for the rooster to feed on. I pre-painted the MDF board gold so if it showed through the amber. (Weldbond, the gluing agent, dries clear) The background will be the same colour. Around the birds, I am creating a cream coloured mosaic so they jump out. This was on the suggestion of someone I met at a show.

I have now begun a class at www.GlassMosaicsCanada.com at 686 The Queensway. I have never before worked with tile, always opting for the bigger pieces and more control of the glass. Plus, I've had great success in getting glass donated to me so everything can be recycled. Glass can be purchased at a few places in Toronto. Celestial Glass on Kingston Road has a good selection; the best I have found is Fantasy In Glass on The Queensway. Great selection and they make many donations to the Hospital for Sick Children.