Mosaic Monday / UFO 's

At our last mosaic ATC card swap in May I was asking one of the artists what she was working on and she replied that she has a few Mosaic UfO's sitting around. I was very intrigued and immediately thought of the work of Eve Lynch.  When I pressed her for more details she informed me that UFO's are Un-Finished Objects.  I laughed out loud and was happy to discover this important new mosaic term ( thanks Theresa).

Above is a shot of a few of my current " UFO's". When I first started mosaics in 2007 I started on a really large crow mosaic, got half way through it  and then left it alone for over a year. I have since finished that project and now I have a few other unfinished works that are tugging at me. When I was new to mosaics I felt terrible when I would abandon one project to start another. As I have met more mosaic artists and seen how they work I have learned that this is a common pattern and not a character flaw. It has something to do with the time intensive nature of the medium.  Sometimes you get stuck and do not know what direction to go with a project and other times you just get bored and need to start on something new. At any rate I no longer beat myself up about unfinished objects.

Focus on what you "are" doing, not what is undone:
My goal for the year is to finish 14 new mosaics for an upcoming art show in September, take a mosaic class in Italy in the fall and then after a crazy busy holiday season here at Art Paw creating pet portraits I will tackle all of my unfinished fine art mosaic projects next January.


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Mosaics Around the Web.....

Check out Katrina Doran's blog on the 2nd Tuesday of each month for a step by step tutorial on creating large flower sculptures: http://katrinadoran.wordpress.com

Christine Brallier shares a post on making progress on her book! Follow along at : http://cbmosaics.blogspot.com
Keep up the good work Christine and hang in there! It is going to be great.

Eve Lynch has a call to artists for anyone wanting to donate a butterfly mosaic to a community project she is organizing.

Kim Grant's Blog: Kim did a recent post about Howard Grange.  I love Kim's blog because she writes from the heart and will even go off on an occasional rant. She very much has a journal style approach in her blogging.

Margo Antone has a blog where she posts tiny mosaics she creates in a Mosaic-a-day approach, much like the popular painting a day blogs.

Tate & Bijou

"Tate" ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

"Bijou" ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

This week I proofed Bijou & Tate. The summer heat is starting to zap my energy just a bit. Being inside working on pet portraits is about all that I want to do and yet I am also getting cabin fever. This weekend I am going to work on my mosaics and that should energize me.

What are you guys doing to beat the summer heat? I have a great video I will post soon of our dog Whitman playing in the water. He loves the water hose. When he was just a puppy I allowed him to get in the shower with me once and since then he has been totally fascinated with water. I like having a water dog. Big Tommy loved the water too.

Mosaic Monday / Scale baby Scale

Scale is such an impressive thing in art. This weekend we organized and cleaned out the garage. Dan spent a good amount of time un-stretching and rolling up some really huge paintings he did in college. I fell in love with several of them and wanted to hang a few however most are just way too large for any wall in our little bungalow. Yea, I am married to a tall painter that likes to paint really big.  I am drawn to larger works but have not had the courage to really tackle a huge mosaic yet.   

When I see large scale mosaics I am just blown away.

I have been meaning to share a cool site with you and a post I saw today fits right in with the subject of scale.  Check out Midcentura.com.  The mosaic below is by Spanish artist Josep Renau and it is made up of square tiles. I am usually not a fan of mosaics with perfectly shaped tiles all in the same size, but this work is just amazing.

If that piece does not impress maybe you will like the image below of a 10 story tall mosaic.

Read more at Midcentura.com

Ok so if you are a mosaic artist viewing this and thinking like I am well, "yea scale is cool but this is way out of my world of possibility" then please check out the work below by Barbara Keith. It is also very much out of my league but at 5 feet by 13 feet it is the sort of large scale mosaic that I can almost get my tiny brain around. She worked it in panels and that makes a lot of sense to me.

©2011  Barbara Benson Keith

You can read more, see wips and close ups of this outstanding large scale mosaic mural on Barbara's blog.  Way to go Barb! This piece is a real masterpiece and a work that will raise the bar for all mosaic artists.  I really love the way the panels vary in size, the subtle colors, the great use of contrast ... I just love everything about this work.

New Chihuahua Art And New Doxies

"Pixie" ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

 

"Snoopy & Charlie" ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

Boy this week is winding down so fast. These are a couple of recent projects proofed this last week. The Chihuahua needs some minor tweaking and the Doxies will get printed up tomorrow.

Bride and Groom Robots

Bride and Groom Robots, a photo by artpaw [rebecca collins] on Flickr.

A Mosaic gift for pals that married this last weekend.

Many New Pet Portrait Projects

Wow, seven days into June and I have not updated the blog yet. I have been away from the blog this past week because I have been very focused on many many pet portraits. I will post the past week here. I had a blast working on all of these.

"Dresden" ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

Aspen ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

 Vito & Vienna ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

Max ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

June Bug ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

Rocky ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

Sophie ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

 

Daisy ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

 

Ginger & Payton ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

I still have a few project updates on the board and 4 new commissions including a cool cat I am working on for a classmate. Thanks to everyone for your patience. I try to provide proofs at least 3 days out of the week. We print and ship approved projects out every Tuesday and Thursday. Below is a shot of Lola from last week. I am very lucky to have help with stretching & shipping.

Jasper & Josie Pet Portraits

"Josie" ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

"Jasper" ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

These two cutie pies shipped last week to North Carolina. They are one of 2 anniversary present commissions I have had in-house this last month.  I just adore Josie's blue eye and Jasper's sweet expression totally melted my heart.  I really enjoy working with men on special projects for their wives and girlfriends. Guys are great to work with because when they do need design changes they are very good and quick at communicating those needs without a lot of fuss. They are also usually very kind to my ego and always let me know what they do love about the artwork. Lets face it, if a guy is sweet enough to order a pet portrait for their lady they are usually going to be a pleasure to work with. Men may be tough as nails in their workplace, but they are usually very friendly and nice to me when we collaborate on their pet projects.  I do love my job.

The week ahead ....
 We are getting very busy here at Art Paw and I am spending the entire day answering e-mails and organizing new orders.  If you placed an order within the last few days you will be sent an e-mail very soon with an expected proofing date. Stay tuned for more pet portraits on the blog soon.

49

I turned 49 today. It was a good birthday. I had lunch with my best friend, worked on a mosaic, watched the egrets feeding at White Rock and looked after my sick hubby, he should be better tomorrow. The photo above was taken 47 years ago I guess, anyway I think I see 2 candles on that cake.   This is going to be a great year.

New Kitty Cat Art

"Jack & Luna" ( see all proofs )
© rebecca collin / artpaw.com

"Cranmer" ( see all proofs )
© rebecca collin / artpaw.com

 

 

Today was all about kitty cats. Some months I will not  have one kitty portrait come through and right now I have 3 different feline projects in-house. Yay! Cranmer will be shipping to Hawaii and Jack & Luna are local Dallas kitties.

Mosaic Monday / New Leg Milagro

New Leg Milagro
© rebecca collins

 

New project under way. A leg project with hopes for strength for my husband Dan. His legs are very strong and yet they will often freeze up if he tries to run full out. When he saw the  other leg mosaic I was doing he asked to be added to that project and instead I told him I would do one just for him.
About the Work In progress:
The china doll leg will hang away from the mosaic about a half inch. The entire surface will be covered in stained glass, cinca, and clear smalti. The large clear pieces in the center are super duper thick and really magnify the artwork collage underneath.  I shot the leg with my camera and macro lens then played with the photos in photoshop.  I am in search for a very very pale pink glass that I have one small scrap of. Wish me luck.

Abner Misses Watson

"Abner Misses Watson"

You guys may recall Watson's artwork from last March.  His people sent me a very nice e-mail today and told me how much they love their portrait. They did say that now Abner is very jealous and wants a portrait of himself soon. He is shown above with Watson's artwork. This project was 24 x 36, it looks huge next to Abner. Thanks to Karin for sending such a cute shot. I look forward to working on Abner some day. Oh, and the title for the post and photo were taken from the name of the jpg file they sent me.... very sweet and sad.

It is Monday .... and for those Mosaic Monday followers out there I will get a post up later this afternoon/ evening to show you guys the mosaic projects I have been working on.

Buddy The Boxer

"Buddy"
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

 

"Buddy"
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

 

This is Buddy. He is one of about 3 projects I am going to try to get proofed by tomorrow. I love this guy. His owner said he always looked a little sad, but he was a real clown and a very happy boy. The original photo here was pretty good with some nice detail. When I carved away the  body to focus on just Buddy's head and face it became very clear that one ear was hidden. I borrowed his ear to our right and copied it, flipped it and warped it into place.  Photoshop cs5 has a new tool called "puppet warp" and it is amazing and allows me to do some pretty cool stuff when it comes to perking up ears.  I always say that ears are so important when reading a pup's mood, and I like them to show well in the pet portraits I do.  Stay tuned for more artwork samples on the blog soon.

New Weimaraner Art

"Heidi and Fritz" ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

This project of Heidi & Fritz will ship out tomorrow. These cute Weims are the 2nd pet portrait project for this client. Pet people are the best. A large majority of my clients come back for more portraits because well, we all have so many pets and you can't leave anyone out.  Which reminds me, I have a couple of wire haired fox terrier portraits that need to happen very soon.  I have not yet done any artwork of our new puppy.


About the Art:
The proof shown here is one of the wilder options that I showed my client. I added in some violet on the coats just to have a little fun with it. I usually show both a few wild bold choices and some that are just a little less bold. They went with proof number 20, which has some bold coloring in the background but a little less color on the pups.  I really enjoyed playing with these two. The original photo was excellent to start with.

Gidget's Mom Loves her Artwork!

"Gidget" ( see all proof )
© rebecca collins / artpaw.com

 

Yay, got an e-mail from Gidget's people and they loved their portrait and complimented us on our follow through. Is she adorable or what? I love pets with grey muzzles. Senior pets are just the best. This was a great original photo to work with. Look at how nice the lighting is.

Pet Poetry Contest Winner!

We finally have a winner to announce in our Pet Poetry Contest. Congrats to Rebecca Forrest for her winning submission " Sighthound".

Sighthound
Millennia of pounding feet
a sound replete
with rush of breath
and throbbing beat.
...
The bounding flight
beguiles the sight
of bolting prey—
first left, then right.

Around the bend
anticipating
past the fence
accelerating
gaining on
the flashing fur.

The quest evades
and slips from sight.
The coursing fades.
Then—hound’s delight—
a new command.

The heart complies—
smooth backyard spanned—
to alpha’s eyes
and loving hand.

- Rebecca Forrest

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If you entered the contest and did not win we do not want you to be empty handed. Just send me an e-mail ( collins@artpaw.com)  with Swag Bag in the subject line and I will send you a Swag Bag of goodies that will make your tail wag!  Be sure and paste in your poem that you entered last month so we know who you are. Your bag will have breed specific stuff if we can tell from your writing you are into one breed, assorted stuff if you are not a breed lover and kitty stuff if you sent in a cat poem.

Izzie the Frenchie

This week I have proofed a handful of doggy clients including Izzie the French Bulldog. Tomorrow we will announce the winner from last month's Pet Poetry contest.

"Izzie" ( see all proofs)
© rebecca collins

My client asked how we choose the photo to work from when a client sends in multiple images. It is a combination of things with file resolution and detail being very high on the list. In this case I just fell in love with those little white teeth showing. This shot was also well lit and contained a lot of detail.

Poetry / Pet Portrait Contest / Final days

Tomorrow is the last day to enter the poetry contest on facebook for the chance to win a free pet portrait from Art Paw. Check out the many great submissions on our facebook wall. Below is a great submission from someone working in Pug Rescue. Lots of pet rescue folks have written poems. There are many that will make you laugh and cry. Dan will have a tough time judging this one.

A pug is a pug is a pug,
Who only wants lots of love and some hugs.
Why would one be dumped
in a pound? I am stumped.
For people doing that I could slug. 

By: Maryjo Brock Copher Snyder 

To enter the contest just become an Art Paw Fan at facebook and submit your original poem on our wall. The writing must be your own and about pets.

Giving Away A Dog Poetry Book!

Hey Guys, in celebration of National Poetry month I am giving away my own copy of this terrific book of poems written from the canine perspective "Unleashed".  The writing in this book will make you laugh and cry. To enter the contest just leave a comment right here on the blog and tell me something about your own pet. You can also enter by leaving a comment on Facebook once this post feeds into my wall over there. You have until midnight on Sunday to enter. I will draw names on Monday the 2nd and post the winner's name. The winner will have one week to contact me with their address, and if I do not hear back from them I will draw again.

Mosaic Monday/ New Robot Art

This last month I finished #7 Robot Mosaic and I have been working on Chip the robot. 

#7 Robot ( detail)
© rebecca collins

#7 Robot
© rebecca collins

"Chip"
© rebecca collins

So here is the deal ... I am falling in love with Chip, my very first 3-d project. He seems so real to me. I really think when he is finished that he will come to life and start talking to me. He has a long way to go and will probably take a few months to complete. I have an elaborate base in mind and he will have a 3-d robot dog pal that he will be walking. I already have future large scale 3-d bots planned out in my head, but they will be on the back burner until 2012.  Mosaic work takes so much patience, because the ideas flow so much faster than the time it takes to create them.

My First Puppy Was a Beagle

My first puppy was a Beagle we named Pokey after Pocahontas. She was a loyal and loving dog. I found these photos the other day and scanned them in. I often look back at what different lives my childhood pets had than my current spoiled pups that sleep beside me at night. Mom and Dad's house rules regarding pets were much different than mine are today. While it may be tempting to think they were doing it wrong by making the dogs live outside in dog houses, the reality is I am very fortunate to have had parents that understood the importance of allowing kids to have pets at all, and I am eternally grateful that they allowed us to have all of the assorted dogs and cats that we had.  Mom also allowed me to decorate my room myself and paint it any color I wanted, she really encouraged my creativity in many ways.