Tag Archives: commission

Review of 2017

As 2017 is drawing to a close this seems an ideal time for my annual review.

My First Mosaic

It has been a busy, challenging and enjoyable mosaic year for me. A significant highlight being I reached the 10 year anniversary of mosaic making – which all started with that small coaster made in Julia’s outdoor  studio. I will be celebrating this along with setting out my ideas for my 11th year in 2018.

So highlights for 2017 include:

A visit to Stoke on Trent to have an “Adhesive and Grout Training Day” by  BAL British Adhesvives Ltd. We also teamed this with visiting our friends Sara and Lisa in nearby Penkhull. As they are members of Doomsday Morris this tied in neatly with my Green Man mosaic making phase.

 

BEAT Ealing Art Trail was a great event for me with over 260 visitors. I loved being involved in this event and will certainly be taking part next year.

 

As well as giving a lot of one day Beginners Mosaic Lessons‘, I have had several commissions – 2 of them birthday presents for ‘Mother-in-Laws’. I have also ventured into making  ‘glass-on’glass’ pieces which I have really enjoyed and would like to develop more next year. Here is a selection of favourite 2017 pieces.

 

So I think I can now put my ‘nippers’ and ‘tesserae’ down and take a well earned break and start on the Christmas activities. Thank you for your support and encouragement during the year. I will see you all again early in 2018.

Enjoy the festivities.

Rufus Reindeer

 

 

 

Summer Mosaic Update

July and August are such strange months, the roads are deserted but tube trains, museums and London parks are full to bursting with families and tourists enjoying the summer holidays.  The mosaic world takes a  holiday as well and I have managed to get away myself as it has been very quiet on the mosaic front. I have also taken the chance to have a sort out and tidy my studios ready for the autumn rush – she says hopefully!

P1060130I made this butterfly during summer for my sister’s newly born great niece. I had made her  big sister a pink elephant when she was born 3 years ago so it seemed fair that another mosaic was in order.  I have used quite a few ‘glitter’ tiles so it should really sparkle on her bedroom wall.

Vivien & Kalpina - Log Cabin Spring Tree

Log Cabin Spring Tree

Following on from the fantastic response and reception we got from O’Grady Court on the OPEN Ealing mosaic project, I have volunteered to make them a mosaic to go onto another wall in their lovely rooftop garden. The last voluntary project I did was at the Log Cabin, a children’s charity, so I am more than happy to make a piece for the residents at this lovely sheltered housing organisation. I have had the initial meeting with them and we talked through ideas, where it would be placed etc. After lots of discussion we came up with the final choice of mosaic so it is now up to me to get sketching and decide on the size, colours etc.  Hopefully I shall have some progress pictures for you soon.

I have just received a new commission for 2 stepping stones. I have made several stepping stones in the past, notably my sundials and the ammonite. They are great fun to do and lend themselves well to the mosaic medium. As they are so durable and robust they are ideal for a garden, flowerbed  or patio.  This client has asked if I am able to do 2 horoscope star signs – I think that is a brilliant idea and I am a bit disappointed I hadn’t thought of that idea before myself!  Obviously I said ‘yes’ so I am now looking at sizes, colours, designs etc. 

So after the lull of summer comes the storm of new projects – I am looking forward to getting back to work and mosaicing again. 

LONDON ACTIVITY: So many of my Blogging Followers have been asking me how I am getting on with the CAPITAL RING walk so here is progress to date:  WalkingWe have now completed 7 stages of the Capital Ring and have crossed the river to north London.  Combining stages 4 & 5 took us from Crystal Palace to Wimbledon Park via Streatham, Tooting and Wandsworth Commons.  Stage 6 was probably one of our favourite routes starting at Wimbledon Park with its massive boating lake and overlooking the City skyline, passing the famous windmill on Wimbledon Common, lovely walking over Putney Heath which took us up into Richmond Park.  Now we felt we were on ‘home territory’ but as we went through Richmond Park we crossed through lovely parts that we didn’t know existed. When we walked down past Pembroke Lodge, through Petersham Meadows and to completion at the river by Richmond Bridge, it was great to be able to hop on a bus to get home. Stage 7 was definately our local patch and the walk took us on a familiar route that we have cycled or walked many, many times. The end of the route was literally ’round the corner’ to home!  

We are sure that the Capital Ring route used to come past the bottom of our road so I am wondering if anyone out there has a copy of the Capital Ring book pre the re-print in 2014. If you have, please do get in touch and let me know the old route.

 

 

 

Rosanna’s Mosaics – by Commisssion

When I meet people and they learn I make mosaics they often ask ‘Do you take commissions’. The answer to this question is a resounding YES.

Fishing Boat

Fishing Boat

I have made several commissions over the years. Some large, some small, indoors and for outside. I have made company logos, door numbers, pieces for new borns, wedding presents. Panels to go into bathrooms, kitchens and pieces that have gone into gardens as well as several pieces that have gone abroad.

I really enjoy taking on an exciting, new piece of work. Liaising closely with my clients, I design and create both practical and decorative items to match their own style, colour scheme and personality. I always make sure I spend enough time with the client discussing their exact requirements, purpose of the piece and any special  or quirky requests they may have. I can usually fit into their budgetary requirements as I try to keep my prices at a realistic level so anyone can afford an original piece of mosaic art.

P1050571

Sun and Moon

If you are thinking of revamping your kitchen or bathroom and want something a bit different, a specially commissioned splash back or inset panel could be just the thing to give it your personal stamp. Or how about a mirror or wall hanging in a newly decorated room?

When you commission me you can be sure that you are buying a unique, original piece of mosaic art. Each piece is individual and all my own work. I do not mass produce and no one helps me at any stage with the mosaic.

Here are some nice stories about 2 previous commissions:

The Barbados Turtle Project and Quentin The Lizard.

Here are some examples of previous commissions.

If you are interested, or know of someone who might be keen on commissioning a piece of work, please feel free to give me a call on 07961 134 033 so we can have an initial chat, there is no obligation and I am always happy to chat to people who want more info on my work.

 

 

 

 

 

My Mosaic Story – June Update

I cannot believe we are now well into June – where has the time gone?? A lot has been going on with Rosanna’s Mosaics this month so here is a quick update:

P1030894New Studio – my new studio/shed is slowly being filled with mosaic wood, adhesives, grouts, gardening tools etc. although there is still room for a couple of chairs and a bottle of wine. Alan has put shelves up and is now getting the electrics sorted out for me.

P1040917Commission – The commission piece is now completed. We will be going to Derbyshire next week to deliver it to its new owners. Once they have seen and approved it, I will get some photos up for you to see it.

Arthouse blue thumbnailARThouse Richmond Open Studios – has a Pop Up Exhibition for the duration of the Open Studios event. I went to the launch on Tuesday evening and saw a lovely range of artwork and met several of my fellow artists. Do go along if you get a chance, the address is 1-3 Richmond Road, Twickenham, TW1 3AB. There are all sorts of activities from now until the end of the festival in July including workshops, networking events and coffee mornings.  For more info visit www.arthouseopenstudios.co.uk 

Harris & Hoole – my work is now on display at Harris + Hoole Coffee Shop near St. Margarets station and will be there for the duration of the Open Studios event. As well as great coffee they serve delish cakes and lunches – do pop in.

Don’t forget I am still REQUESTING  name suggestions for the shed – please let me know your ideas either by pressing the’Leave a Reply’ button below or by emailing me: rosannasmosaics@gmail.com

That is it for now – more details on all the above COMING SOON

 

 

 

Hat-Trick – The Commission

 

Things have been really busy in my mosaicing life and there are lots of exciting activities going on.

I was delighted to receive a commission from a new client. It is for a large outdoor piece to go into a recess in the wall of their lovely courtyard garden. Pictures of the space and garden were sent and telephone conversations have taken place. Its been great discussing ideas and colour schemes and over the course of several calls and emails, we have found we are very similar and are kindred spirits.

Dolphin

Dolphin

I do love having commissions although they are quite stressful as well. In effect you have to get inside the clients mind to visualise what they want. Some people are very clear and precise, while others leave it totally up to you.

This client had a few initial ideas that we discussed and I sketched up. They have developed and evolved and  now we have a design agreed that we are all happy with and will suit the space and environment perfectly.  It is quite a geometric design and will have bold, strong colours. I will use a range of glass tesserae along with quite a few iridescent tiles. I will be keeping a picture diary so the client can see all the different stages and processes involved. I can’t wait to start!

Door Numbers on Roof Tiles

Door Numbers on Roof Tiles

The client found me through the BAMM website. BAMM is the representative body for mosaic makers and although I felt I ought to join them, I didn’t feel I was ready to until I went to their AGM late last year  and signed up on the day. Funnily enough with Christmas and being unwell, I had not had a chance to get my profile onto the BAMM site until this February – about a week before my client starting looking for a mosaic artist!  Timing is everything.

Carol's Mirror

Carol’s Mirror

 

I have now got my profile on BAMM well underway and have put up my mosaic CV. I am amazed at how much I have done.  Please do go and have a look. I am shown under ‘Artists’ as Henderson, Rosanna.

 

THE REQUEST: If you are interested in commissioning apiece of mosaic art (indoors or outside, large or small) please do give me a call and we can have an initial chat. All pictures on this blog are commissioned pieces.

Gone Fishing

Gone Fishing

 COMING SOON: The other parts of the Hat-Trick

STOP PRESS – The Hat-Trick!

Its been non stop over the last couple of weeks and I have some fantastic news! I have scored a hat-trick.

P10407951. I have received a commission for a large outdoor mosaic from a lovely new client.

2. I have secured a place at ARTHouse – Richmond Open Studios in June / July.

3. I have had my work accepted by an Art Gallery in Northumberland.

More news on all of these to come soon.

Celebrations and Commissions

P1040639I have had a lovely active November and beginning of December celebrating a ‘very special birthday’.  I’m not going to say how old I am but I will say it is great having free travel on London Underground!

I”veP1040576 enjoyed some lovely meals in the Oxo Tower, Paramount/Centrepoint and Baltic Flour Mill – all with great food and fantastic views over beautiful cities. I also had a lovely day at Brooklands Museum which is the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation, a brilliant place and made even more special as my friend David was our personal tour guide for the day – thank you David.P1040644 We even ended with a trip on Concorde. More treats are planned including a tour of the Albert Hall and a meal at the oldest restaurant in London.

Needless to say all this celebrating has meant that mosaic making has been put on the back burner. However, I now need to get my mosaic cutters out again and get my pinny on as this week I have been inundated with requests for commissions.  I don’t know why they have all come at once and some are from people who saw my work years ago. It just goes to show that it is always worth giving out your card as you never know when someone is going to want to commission a mosaic.

Gone Fishing

I really enjoy doing commission work as each one is going to be unique piece of mosaic art. I like to get a really good brief from the customer – some people know exactly what they want, others leave it up to me.  I am very keen to match their colour preferences, style and their personality. Often the piece is for a gift.

Dolphin

Dolphin

I make a lot of door numbers for people as well as mirrors. People have commissioned wall hangings, outdoor garden pieces, panels for kitchens and bathroom. All mosaics shown here are commissions I have made and I think my biggest piece is this turtle done on a slab of York Stone for outdoors.

 

Regina's Dragonfly

 Please do give me a call if you would like to discuss a commission, there is no obligation and I am always happy for people to come and visit my studio if it helps give them ideas and inspiration.

.Hopper

 

THIS WEEKS REQUEST:

Willow Pattern MirrorI am getting a lot of interest in this BLOG so I would like to continue to increase the number of people that see it. Please could you pass it on to friends who may have a creative interest or that may be interested in commissioning a piece of unique mosaic art.

 

COMING SOON: The Constable and Rembrandt Exhibitions

3 Individual Panels