Gila Mosaics
  • Home
  • About
    • EXHIBITIONS
  • GALLERIES
    • RECENT WORK
    • PORTRAITS >
      • SELF PORTRAITS
    • FIGURES
    • BIRDS / ANIMALS
    • NATURE / ABSTRACT
    • PLATE FACES
    • IMAGINARY PEOPLE
    • ETUDES
    • COMMISSIONS Gallery
    • SPECIAL PROJECTS
  • WORKSHOPS
    • ON-LINE MOSAIC WORKSHOP
  • PURCHASE
    • COMMISSION info
    • Currently Available
  • Blog
  • CONTACT

Garden Installation Visit

7/31/2020

1 Comment

 
At long last, one year after my mosaics were installed, I've finally had a chance to visit the garden & see them in situ.    It was a very hot summer day, but I wanted to take the opportunity for a short visit.  The garden at this time of year was overgrown, yet still vibrant with colorful flowers.  ​
Picture
A quick stroll thru the garden.
Picture
Picture
Photo by Mark Morris
​Here I am, with Vaughn, who commissioned the mosaics.

​Hopefully I'll be able to visit again in the spring and get an unobscured view of the mosaics from a distance.  In any case, I'm very happy with how they look and were hung, as is Vaughn, which is really most important!
See previous post on the creation of these mosaics
1 Comment

Our Beloved Mascot, Poldo!

10/11/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture
I caught my first glimpse of Poldo, at the top of the hill, in the small town of Ploaghe, where I enjoyed my morning cappuccino each day.  
Picture
Soon, he began showing up to the ex-convent where we, the artists of the 3rd Contemporary Mosaic Art Symposium, Ploaghe worked.   He quickly become a constant companion to all.  ​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Sometimes Poldo didn't want to go home,  and had to be carried out of the building at the end of the day!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
He even followed us around town, joining us for drinks!

Thus, the inspiration behind my latest portrait . . .
Picture

​The large chunky pieces in the background, are sea polished tiles, collected on an unforgettably glorious day with my mosaic companions, on this, Sardinia beach.  Each one connected to the other by a golden glass thread.
Picture
Picture
The heart, is a play on the symposium logo, seen in the center of this sign.
Picture
Picture
Our Beloved Mascot, Poldo
Picture
2 Comments

New Portrait - Reverse Engineered Substrate

9/23/2019

6 Comments

 
Picture
For my latest portrait, I used a method I learned last year at the Mosaic School in Spilembergo Italy.  

My reference was an original drawing, I  did earlier this year for Julia Kay's Portrait Party,  in graphite, water soluble ink pencils, and a touch of white acrylic paint.   

I began by enlarging and printing the image onto six 8.5x11 sheets of paper.  The image was then covered by clear plastic, allowing me to see the image as I adhered my tesserae (pieces), with a polymer modified mortar, directly onto the plastic.

​
My materials were a variety of colorful Italian & Mexican smalti, including some luscious large riven chunks which I love, dishes, and slate.
Picture
Picture
Once I finished laying all the tesserae, the real experimentation began.  Flipping the work & reverse engineering a hangable substrate.  Here's a time lapse of that process....
& Tada! 
Picture



​I wanted to go BIG, and this portrait is indeed, the largest mosaic portrait, of just a face, I've created to date.
Picture
6 Comments

Quiet Influence

9/3/2019

0 Comments

 
Thank you Zack!
Picture
Zack Baisden was a wonderful and prolific abstract artist.  When we met, soon after I'd moved to Florida, he had recently retired from teaching art.  We often gallery sat together, and chatted about all sorts of things;  travel, relationships, and everything art.  
Picture
Rest in Peace, dear Zack.
You will be missed!
Picture
One quiet morning at the Gallery, not long after I'd begun my daily portraiture drawing, he explained to me, in quite some detail, how to approach the human eye.

I've never forgotten those words, and refer to them often.  His gentle voice and influence will always remains in my heart, hand, and mind.
Picture
0 Comments

Double Commission - Behind the Scenes

7/25/2019

8 Comments

 
For the past several months I've been working on a commission for the garden of a private residence.  

In February I gave a talk to a local art group about my experience attending The 3rd Contemporary Mosaic Art Symposium in Sardinia Italy (subject for another post - long overdue).  The following day I was contacted by a woman who had been at the talk,  who commissioned me to create 2 mosaics for her beloved garden.  She'd been introduced to a variety of materials during my talk, and as a result decided on Mexican Smalti, as her material of choice.  OK by me!    
Picture
I composed the second design from a selection of pics the client sent me, of her favorite flower varieties.   This final painting,  was done after several drawings, revisions, and chats with the client.

​The first directive I received, was for lots of color!!! An osprey and flowers.

As the osprey would be comprised of neutral colors, I wanted to create a dramatic and colorful background for him to soar above.


The Smalti Arrives!

Mexican smalti is absolutely luscious.  Every tesserae  unique, with lots of color variation, making it both exciting and complicated to work with. 

​

​I chose to use a lightweight, waterproof, substrate which comes in a variety of thicknesses.  The Osprey was cut out of the 1 inch substrate which was latter attached to the 1/2 inch background substrate.  I was thrilled to find that the 1/2 boards come in 4'x5' sheets, the size of the flower mural.
Picture
Here I am holding the completed osprey, so you can get a sense of its size.
Picture
Finally, with all the materials in the studio, I started by cutting out the osprey shape.
Picture
& the adhering begins!
Picture


I really enjoyed working on the dramatic seascape, folding each colorful band into the next.  Slowly, cut by cut & piece by piece, surrounding the osprey.
Picture
Picture

​Adding some white caps... and more color!
Picture
Picture
Picture
The Osprey flew off to his new garden home .... On to the flowers!

I started by transferring a cartoon of my design to the substrate, and began the setting here....
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
You can see how much variety there is in the Mexican Smalti color mixes.  The red is more  burgundy.  I was hoping for a bit more of a true red, but that didn't seem to be available. As ever, I enjoyed the challenge of improvising and experimenting with lots of different color combinations.
Picture
Picture
Picture







​After many weeks of work the mosaic is ready for grout!





​The Flower mosaic is now ready for installation in the garden, along with The Osprey.  Stay tuned for photos of both works in situ!
Picture
8 Comments

Australia - Final Stop!

3/15/2018

1 Comment

 
Picture
Picture
Picture

​Finally, the day arrived when I met Belinda, the amazing woman who organized my entire Australian tour.  She performing heroically to pull it all together!  We had an incredible time together, definetly kindred spirits!

Belinda & her husband Ian, have a beautiful property out in the country.  The have greenhouses where they grow vegetables, an orchard with all types of fruit trees,  plenty chooks (chickens) and a couple of very cute fur babies!

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture


One of my favorite things is fresh off the tree figs.  I was really disappointed that they didn't ripen in time for me to pick and eat them.  I kept checking, but no figs for me!
Being out in the country, Belinda assured me that I would see some of Australias unique wildlife.  Sometimes, they just appeared in front of us, and to see others we had to go out hunting in the night.

This is an Echidna - a slow moving porcupine like creature with multi colored spikes!

Picture
Picture
There were always a wide variety of birds at the feeder.  

It was an exciting day when we were lucky enough to spot a kangaroo at the edge of the property.
Picture
Picture

​The kookaburra really does laugh, loudly!    The ladies in my workshops sang many rousing choruses of the old song, Kookaburra sits in an ole gum tree, for me ..... I  hadn't heard that song since I was a child.  
​& It's true!
Picture

Gaia - Belinda's super stunning mosaic studio guardian







​
Two portrait workshops and one flower workshop ensued.  All full, with amazingly friendly, fun and talented people.    Here are some of the works in progress and results of their hard work.
Picture

It was super exciting when I found out that my good friend and colleague Freya, that I worked with in Malaysia, could drive over for a visit.  We hadn't seen each other in 20 years.  We had a lovely few hours catching up, with endless giggles as we tried to get one acceptable photo!
Picture
Another fun excursion was taking a ride on the Puffing Billy Railway.  The line is one of the most popular steam heritage railways in the world and is kept in operation through the efforts of volunteers of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. The railway aims to preserve and restore the line as near as possible to how it was in the first three decades of its existence, but with particular emphasis on the early 1920s.
I was told that normally everything is lush green, but unfortunately what I saw was mostly brown, due to the recent drought conditions.

We were lucky to have Conductor Fraser, a friend of Belinda's, ride with us, as our  personal guide.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Though I flew in and out of Melbourne, this is all I saw of the city, driving to and from the airport.  Hopefully next time I'll get there!
Picture
1 Comment

Next stop - Sydney!

3/1/2018

0 Comments

 

Meet my wonderful host Kerry!  She took great care of me during my time in and around Sydney & organized the 2 Picassiette workshop that I taught here.      

Picture
Our first excursion was to the Blue Mountains, with a very important stop along the way. I finally got to meet  Marian Shapiro in person!  She is an incredible mosaic artist I've "known" & communicated with online for 10+ years.  It was such a thrill to meet her and her husband David.  It was amazing to step into her light filled studio and see all the amazing work she has going on there. It was also a special treat to view their extensive art collection.  Not only Marians mosaics, but works by artists from all over the world.  Just a few of them are in the photo below.
Picture
Picture
Marian, with one of her stunning, undulating mosaics hanging on the wall, and a work in progress on the table.

I love the mountains! 

Picture
Picture
Rocks & Stone!
Picture
Picture
Picture
& the smell of eucalyptus trees wafting thru the air..... Ahhhh
Picture
I taught 2 workshops - Flowers and Portraits
​Here are the results & happy creators.  
It was a gorgeous day to take the train and then the ferry into Sydney.  Approaching the iconic Opera House from the river was a treat.
Picture
Picture
The area around the opera house was bustling with activity.  Aboriginals dancing and playing the didgeridoo,  strange blow-up sculptures, the Art Museum (which was sorely disappointing).... lots of great people watching!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Another huge thrill was meeting Julia Sattout and her family.  Julia is a fellow member of Julia Kay's Portrait Party, an online art group.   It amazes me that I can walk into someone's home, and recognize, not only her paintings, but the subjects of each painting, all of whom, I have also drawn or painted myself.  Another JKPP artist met, and signature in my Portrait Revolution book!
Picture
Picture
& a few  random shots from my final walk around the city. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Brisbane - Mosaic workshop!

2/24/2018

0 Comments

 

​My Brisbane workshop was held at the home studio of Catherine Conaty.  We had such a great time together, hitting it off immediately, as if we'd been friends forever!  


One of the first places she took me, was to see a mosaic installation she did on this long wall for a private residence.  ​
Picture
Picture


Here you can see some of the lovely mosaic, glass on glass, spinners that Catherine makes. I love how they brighten up her studio, and garden.
Picture
Picture
We had a super lovely group of people for the workshop.  Several of them had extensive experience with stained glass, 2 of them being instructors at the Brisbane glass guild.  Everyone did great work, while enjoying themselves and helping each other.  
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
On the second morning we all met before the workshop at a local gem and stone shop.  AMAZING..... 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
& their daughter, with her best friend, dressed up for a special event at school.  Too  cute!


​Catherine's husband Mark, a great guy & wonderful father.  We had lots of wonderful conversations. Besides, he's also a terrific cook, which was very much appreciated!


Picture
Picture


For a special treat, on my final day, I took Catherine for her first ever reflexology session.  I love having a foot massage, especially after being on my feet for days, teaching and touring.    Ahhhhhh!


And finally, A mandatory excursion to visit the Koala sanctuary..... pretty much impossible to spot them in the wild.  Australia has so much cool wild life!

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Farewell Brisbane - It's been fabulous!

0 Comments

On to Brisbane, Australia

2/17/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture

Right off the bat, I managed to lose my glasses. Bifocals.

I realized this as we were driving from the airport to my host's home.  I'd dropped them in the airport when I put on my sunglasses to walk outside.  I can picture exactly where & when it happened.... but, try as I may, with many calls to the airport and airlines, they were never recovered.

Consequently, a visit to the opthomologist who was very accommodating and made me a quick pair of distance glasses.  Fortunately I brought along my prescription reading glasses.  So, I'll just have to get used to juggling 3 pairs of glasses, for the remainder of my time in Australia!  

My first full day, I spent enjoying Brisbane's riverwalk.   It's a really beautiful city, with a lovely manicured park, with an urban beach at its core.... 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Of course, I was delighted to find several mosaics along the  pathway.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture


​These strange looking birds were everywhere.  Apparently they're quite annoying, noisy and dirty.  

Just a couple of the names I heard locals call them,  bin chickens or tip chooks.

If you want to know more, check out this song/video!


At the end of the river walk are the Art and Natural history museums.  Both excellent.  Just a few pics of exhibits, art and nature that made an impression.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Finally, I made it to Perth, Australia

2/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
This is where I stayed while in Perth! It was amazing for me to stay in this idyllic and beautiful location, with a view of the Indian Ocean.  The little blue building on the right is Pat's mosaic studio.
Picture

Pat & Horst, were my incredible hosts!  They were so generous, kind, and knowledgable. Horst, being a professional chef, made sure I didn't go hungry! He cooked many a fine meal, presented on carefully arranged plates. (I can't believe I didn't take any photos of his beautiful & delicious food!)

Speaking of plates... Here's Pat collecting goodies for my picassiette portraiture workshop.  

​Thrift store shoppers of the world unite! 

​



This shimmering mosaic, by Pat, was the first thing I saw each time I  entered her home.  Her welcoming entryway, surpassed by their hospitality, made me feel right at home.
Picture
Picture


​Another amazing person who was instrumental in getting me to Perth, is Dorothy.  I so loved having time to get to know her.  Both Dorothy and Pat are active with MAANZ, the Australia/New Zealand mosaic community.  


Picture


The Art Supply store where my workshop was held, was aptly named Friendz.  And, to my great surprise, located on Pensacola St!

Hey! That's where I live!

Picture

​
Inside, the workshop begins, with everyone drawing.  It was a wonderful 3 days.  The room was soon full of laughs and learning as everyone worked diligently on creating thier portraits, over the next 3 days.








Picture
I just love the diversity of their work and all their smiling faces!
Picture


​

​Between travel and workshops I was able to get in a few day trips.  Pat & I took the ferry from Elizabeth Quay to Freemantle.
Picture
Picture
Picture

For my final day, Dorothy arranged for a picnic with the students from my workshop and other MAANZ members from the area.  We spent a lovely day at the Western Australia Botanical Gardens.  I really enjoyed the paths, views and interesting botanical delights I'd never seen before!
Picture

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Artist

    Gila Rayberg
    With precision and spontaneity, I strive to create texture and movement; something you want to reach out and touch!
    ​

    Picture

    Archives

    November 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018

    Categories

    All
    Abstract
    American Mosaics Now
    Art
    Artel Gallery
    Art Gallery
    Artist
    Australia
    Bird Workshop
    Brain Drain
    Buddha
    Chicago Mosaics
    Cinco Banderas
    Coal Miner
    Commission
    Dog
    Exhibit
    Figurative
    Gallery Of Contemporary Mosaics
    Installation
    Invitational
    Master Of Horse
    Mortar Tesserae
    Mosaic
    Mosaic Artist
    Newsletter
    Patagonia Symposium
    Pensacola Museum Of Art
    People
    Picassiette
    Portrait
    Process
    RIP
    Sardinia
    Self Portrait
    Shipping Art
    Substrate
    The Ruins Projet
    Timelapse
    Travel
    WIP
    Work
    Work In Progress
    Workshop
    Workshops

    RSS Feed

Picture
All content © copyright of Gila Rayberg
Webdesign by bestartistwebsites.com
My email:
​gila@gilamosaics.com
  • Home
  • About
    • EXHIBITIONS
  • GALLERIES
    • RECENT WORK
    • PORTRAITS >
      • SELF PORTRAITS
    • FIGURES
    • BIRDS / ANIMALS
    • NATURE / ABSTRACT
    • PLATE FACES
    • IMAGINARY PEOPLE
    • ETUDES
    • COMMISSIONS Gallery
    • SPECIAL PROJECTS
  • WORKSHOPS
    • ON-LINE MOSAIC WORKSHOP
  • PURCHASE
    • COMMISSION info
    • Currently Available
  • Blog
  • CONTACT