Crowpost's Blog » mosaic

What’s New at Kast Hill Studio Mosaics

crowpost — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:27:10 +0000

Workshops are filling fast and I’m excited for the upcoming “Mosaic Hearts” class. It’s a chance to try out a great new adhesive and create a project in one evening. The class only has 2 openings left, so if you’re thinking about it, email me soon! Also on the table is a commission of a slice of garden- dragonflies are the focus and I’m having fun with the materials, especially the irridescent bits for the wings. Who ever knew there were so many kinds of dragonflies in NH? Or that damselflies are of the same family- or is it species?!? I also learned that dragonflies do what’s called “obelisking”, when the summer sun is at it’s highest, they point their abdomens to the sky to expose the least amount directly to the sun, so staying cooler. Pretty interesting, I thought! This panel will be lifesize x2 or so- a close up view of dragonflies and habitat. It will hang outside on a garden wall. What a great project for this cold and strange winter! Next up, I’m preparing for the NH State Home Show, March 2, 3 and 4 at the Center of NH, Manchester. This is their 45th year and should be a huge event. There are hundreds of exhibitors. I’ll be doing a demonstration/creating a backsplash for a kitchen from recycled stained glass and china- my specialty! I’m excited to be a part of this huge show and am working at designing a killer booth. Hope you all will stop by and say hello. Not sure where I’ll be in the building yet, but you can find me in the directory there! After that, I’m planning on the same type of demo at the NH Made Expo also at the Center of NH on April 14 & 15. Depending on how large the crowd is, this may be a Community Mosaic Project that you can work on with me. I’m so happy to have so much to look forward to. It’s going to be a busy time and I feel very lucky to be doing what I love the most; introducing the art of mosaics to people every day. Hope to see you soon!

Back in the Saddle Again

crowpost — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:26:03 +0000

Hi All! I’m sorry it’s been such a long long time. I was in a battle with Lyme disease this summer and it knocked me off my horse. It’s all good now and I’m back out in my studio and have discovered some rockin’ new materials to mosaic with. I’m planning some fantastic workshops for the winter and will post dates, etc. soon. Life is mosaic, life is good!

“Bras Across the River” Event

crowpost — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 22:24:43 +0000

Come out to the Elm St. bridge in Manchester this Saturday from 1-5 pm to support breast cancer cure research. I’ll be there demonstrating the art of mosaic and donating a 2-Dimensional mosaic, “Healing”, for the raffle. There’ll be live music, info booths and food and a lot of good energy. Come say hi!

March Mosaics

crowpost — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:58:23 +0000

I guess it’s a good thing I’m so busy I can’t seem to keep up with this writing… Just recently awarded an artist residency in April at the Nottingham West Elementary school in Hudson, NH to work with grades 1-5. I’ll be making mosaic toadstool seats with the little ones and Caribbean style mosaic wall panels with the 4th and 5th graders. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate spring than with sunny, bright, sparkly and colorful kid mosaics! Thank you Nan Constant!

“Night Tea” Custom Mosaic Commission

crowpost — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:56:59 +0000

I recently completed a custom stove backsplash for a couple who LOVES birds. They requested something whimsical that incorporated some of their favorite wing-ed ones. I had a lot of fun creating this one and I hope it shows!
I can create a mosaic for anywhere in your home or workplace, any size, just about any shape and with a variety of materials. I love using recycled stained glass and china and can incorporate pretty much any found objects and treasures that you may have. The possibilites are endless and the results are SO FUN!

Mosaic Wasteland

crowpost — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:08:35 +0000

Come to Red River Theater in Concord, NH this Friday night at 6pm (project at 6 and movie at 7, project continues after movie!)
World-renowned artist Vik Muniz embarks on one of the most inspired collaborations of his career, joining creative forces with Brazilian catadores — garbage pickers who mine treasure from the towering trash heaps of Rio’s Jardim Gramacho landfill. In this Sundance award-winning documentary, the catadores prove to be unique and surprising individuals in their own right, waxing philosophic as they impart a valuable lesson about what society discards.

Friday’s show: Come early for a special pre-film art project/discussion with Lizz Van Saun. Help create a community mosaic project from recycled glass and talk to mosaic maker Lizz Van Saun.

Mosaic Inspiration

crowpost — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:36:50 +0000

Recently went to the Hildene Meadows Craft Fair in Manchester, VT. What a beautiful drive along the river! If I were of a mind to make postcard photos of the state, that’s where I’d go. The fair was great but I was surprised to realize I was mostly inspired by the little town of Jamaica, VT. There’s a cool shop downtown that sells blown glass pieces. What I LOVED were the stained glass/blown glass leaded hanging window pieces. Bright, colorful, textural and roughly made, imprecise. Really great! I’ve been thinking about how I might create some mosaics based on that idea. Mosaic on windows with more of a 2-dimensional use of glass and found objects. I’m excited to experiment with this. I have to delay gratification for awhile though… Still working on commissions and trying to discipline myself to stay with it. It’s not hard really, it’s just the creative monkey mind wanting to play- everywhere! The point being, one never knows where inspiration will show up. We just stay open and pay attention and have fun!

What Mosaic is This?

crowpost — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:56:14 +0000

It’s great I’m so busy with commissions I hardly have time to blog! I’m working on finishing up the Morrill frame for the painting, then onto the Bird Backsplash for Rosemary. Time is flying!
I just got a huge infusion of lovely stained glass pieces donated to my by a really nice guy from Swampscott. A whole trunk-full! Now I’ve sorted it, kind of, and put it in boxes on the shelves of the studio where I can dream on it as much as I want…very inspiring! I can’t wait to use it and may have some need for it in the current mosaic. Anyway, I want to say I truly appreciate the kindness and generosity of strangers. Who are now no longer strangers, part of the efforts behind the community mosaic projects which make them what they are, a community effort, no matter where you come from! Thanks to all who support what I/we do and keep it coming!
Stay tuned for photos of recent works and fall workshops…HUGE FUN!

Community Mosaic Project Opportunity

crowpost — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:16:46 +0000

Just a quick note to let you all know that I’ll be at Eagle Square during Concord, NH’s Market Days, July 15,16,17. As a part of the Art’s Market, I’ll be setting up a Community Mosaic Project for passersby and those who worked on last year’s project and want to do it again!! I’ll be there each day from dawn til dusk so be sure to come by and add a piece or two or three! See you soon…

Pricing Mosaic Commissions

crowpost — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 21:09:37 +0000

I guess it’s like any art work we make. Always hard to figure out how much to charge for a piece. It’s easier in some ways to price something you’ve made for sale than to price a commissioned mosaic. It’s always a ‘guesstimate” based on previous experience. I find it really difficult. Seems I get into making something and it takes me a lot longer than I thought it might, therefore, I’m not asking what I need to, to make it profitable. I’m hoping that with time and more experience, I’ll be able to resolve this dilemma and be much more comfortable asking for what I need. If anybody has any suggestions regarding this, I’d love to hear from you.