Miura Hanshi Mosaic, all tiles laid !

I finished laying Miura Hanshi's last tiles last night ! 

I worked fast on this piece as I want it ready as early as possible to take pictures, wrap up the rewards for my Kickstarter campaign backers and take with me to Pensylvania for the KNBK Gasshuku in November.

It took me just a little more than 2 weeks to lay this 22 x 30' piece. I hardly worked on any other mosaic while I was building this one.

Miura Hanshi Mosaic, October 3, 2015, DRY

Remember that you are seeing the back of the piece. it will be glued onto a ridgid support before it can be flipped and seen for the first time.

In the afternoon I sprayed the piece with water to show its actual colours.

Miura Hanshi Mosaic, October 3, 2015, WET

Water turned the granite tesserae from a dull grey to a brilliant black. You still cannot see the difference between the two different granites used for the background and for Hanshi's black attire. You'll have to wait until the piece is flipped - which should happen sometimes this week - and cleaned up, which should take care before October 15. 

 

Detail of the head

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I am a modern mosaic artist with a deep admiration for ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine Arts. You can see my own mosaics on my site at mosaicblues. 

If you are interested by my work or would like to drop me a line please contact me by email at frederic.lecut@gmail.com or by phone at (334) 798 1639. 

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Yin Yang - TAI CHI Mosaic

Originally, Yin and Yang are the 2 faces of a hill over which the Sun shines. The side in the shadow is YIN, the side in the light is YANG.

Yin and Yang are the two sides of the TAI CHI coin. Those two faces are opposite, and at the same time one cannot exist without the other. So when one sees the tail of the coin and cannot see the head, remember, the head is right here, below, always…

• This is the first principle of Yin and Yang : one cannot exist without the other.
• The second principle : within Yang exists Yin, and within Yin exists Yang.
• The third principle : Yin and Yang (opposites) generate each other: Yin produces Yang, and Yang produces Yin. When Yang becomes very Yang, it turns to Yin; when Yin becomes very Yin, it turns into Yang : The Night is always darker right before dawn.

These 3 principles are represented by the Tai Chi Symbol – when the Yin (dark) is the biggest, Yang is being born, and vice-versa. The white dot in the centre of the Dark part is here to remind us of this.

The Golden Tai Chi Mosaic is a simple and powerful composition. This classic Tai Chi measures 18 x 18" (45 x 45 cm). It is made of 3 stones only :  Beige Travertine, Gold Travertine and Black Granite.

If you are interested by my other works please visit my site Mosaicblues. 

You can also contact me by email at frederic.lecut@gmail.com or by phone at (334) 798 1639.

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I promise I won't spam you. !

Usually once or twice a week I send out informations about my work, the techniques and the history of mosaics. 

And although I hope you won't do it, it is very easy to unsubscribe !

Mosaic Labyrinth

So many ancient mosaics survive that we almost take them for granted and do not really pay attention to them. 

But we should ! 

For they often represent actual scenes of a past long gone or numinous myths and symbols, sending us unusual and important messages about the ancient world, and/or about ourselves...

One of them is the Labyrinth, a recurring pattern of classical Roman mosaics. Although it is more often of a square shape,

Conimbringa, Portugal. 3rd Century AD

Pompeii, Italy, 1st century AD.

it is also sometimes of circular geometry. This circle shape is probably more ancient as it is the shape of prehistoric labyrinths.

Avenches, Switzerland, circa 250 AD

In Pagan times, the center of the Labyrinth was often decorated with a depiction of the slaying of the Minotaur by Theseus.

House of the Labyrinth, Pompeii, 1st century AD

The abundance of Labyrinths designed and executed by Roman mosaicists clearly show that it still was a very powerful symbol during the first centuries of our era.

When Christianity became the official religion of the Empire, it kept the symbol, often - but not always -  removing references to Theseus. 

In some cases, Christian Churches simply "recycled" pagan labyrinths by changing their center piece. In Orleansville, Algeria the center of the Labyrinth was reworked to feature a jeu-de-lettres on the words SANCTA ECLESIA (Holy Church).

During the Middle ages labyrinths were incorporated in numerous French and Italian churches. The French Cathedrals of Chartres and Amiens (13th century) incorporate the two widest labyrinths known to us to this day.

Notre Dame de Chartres, France, early 13th century

Notre Dame d'Amiens, France, 1288

Both these huge labyrinths are still used today as prayer or meditation paths by visitors to these Churches. 

There are also a variety of smaller floor or mural labyrinth in other European Churches . 

The one at the wonderful San Vitale Basilica in Ravenna measures about 3.5 meters (11 feet) in diameter. Although originally thought to date from the sixth century, it is now generally believed to have been built at a much later date, probably during the first half of the 16th century.

Basilica San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy.

The Labyrinth is sometimes taken as an analogy for the spiritual quest. The pilgrim or mystic on his way to enlightenment or God follows a convoluted path, with numerous turns, but finally comes to the center, and then follows the same path back to the real world. 

The Labyrinth took me to mosaics, in a way I would never have dreamed of...

In the early years of this century, by a strange arrangement of coincidences, causes and conditions - this is how karma operates... - I came to built a Labyrinth for the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Dothan. 

This is not the place to tell this story, and I told it somewhere else. But look at the odds of a French Nuclear Engineer building a prayer Labyrinth in South Alabama...

Based on the geometry of the Chartres Cathedral's, the Nativity Labyrinth measures 14 meters (42 feet) in diameter. 

Dothan, Alabama, Early 21st century

It is built of regular rectangular and circular pavers. In order to realize the curvature of the path I had to cut most of them. It took 20 months to complete the work.

Just after completion of this prayer labyrinth, I met in France Jean Pierre Soalhat of Mosaic Tahlaos. I was sooo amazed !

Beside the beauty of his work, I also realized the similarity between the techniques of mosaic and the ones I had used - on another scale - to build the Church Labyrinth.

As soon as I'd be back to the USA, I would try myself at mosaics !

I first built a small table, then the portrait of Venus after Botticelli and the 3rd piece I realized was a Labyrinth table.

Made of 3 materials only : Black Granite, Crema Marble and Red Terra Cotta, it represents the Chartres Labyrinth, flanked by classical Roman patterns.

This was my biggest piece so far. This table is so heavy it's probably tornado proof. It is now at a friend's home in Virginia.

 

C'est la vie ...

If you are interested in purchasing one of my existing mosaics, would like to discuss a special mosaic or labyrinthine project, or simply discuss the wonderful art of mosaics, please contact me by email at frederic.lecut@gmail.com or by phone at (334) 798 1639. 

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Julie found a new home

Julie left Mosaicblues last Monday for her new home in Clayhatchee, Alabama

I created Julie in 2009. 

She is made of Granites, Ceramics and Marbles.

Her dimensions are 20.5" x 35” (47 x 87 cm).

The original Julie.

Please note that I am not authorized

to publicize her phone number.

Mosaics last forever. If you are interested by a commissioned portrait or another style of mosaic, or would simply like to discuss my art, please contact me by email at frederic.lecut@gmail.com, or by phone at (334) 798 1639.

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Blue Windrose

Blue Windrose is one of my early mosaics (2006).

Blue Windrose, Complete

She weighs 13 lb (6 kg) and measures 12 x 12" x (33 x 33 cm). 

She is made of: 

• Black Granite
• Gold Granite
• Crema Marble
• Gold Marble
• Blue Ceramic
• Acqua (light blue) Glass.

I had 3 things in mind while working on Blue Windrose :

• The Outside of the Rose - a Navigation Compass - is a reminder of my past sailing years as a teenager and young adult (back when I had hair...), of the wonderful and at times scary experiences I had doing this and of great people I met sailing. Also, a Compass helps you find your way !

• Now, in the middle of the Rose you have the smiling Sun. This sun is warm, and he is smiling, it symbolizes goodness and optimism and tells us that it is much easier to go through life smiling to people than trying to impose your will on them...

So this particular Blue Windrose Mosaic is here to guide us in the right direction : it reminds us that if we want to make life easier around us we just need to smile to people...

• And then of course the Fleur de Lys at the top of the Compass is the emblem of the King of France Because poor Louis XVI suffered an unfortunate demise does not mean we can't like the emblem...
•  

Because I used materials of very various thickness I made Blue Windrose according to my favorite reverse method.

In 2006 I did not have a workshop yet and I was working on my deck ! 

Blue Windrose model

The tesserae (Small pieces of materials) are placed upside down and glued on the drawing with a water soluble glue. 

Blue Windrose, complete, Back face.

What you see here is the back of the mosaic, that face will later be covered with thinset mortar and glued to its support. 

Blue Windrose, Back face.

At this stage of completion you are seeing the back of the mosaic, which may be just as beautiful as its front - which you actually cannot see.  In fact, in order to see the front, you have to hide the back for ever... And you sometimes wonder : "Should I or should I not smear that shining face with mortar ?"

Happy Collector : Geri

I love this mosaic yin-yang symbol of tai-chi made by 
Frederic Lecut. I have been a student of tai-chi with Frederic for about 12 years, and when I saw this mosaic, I absolutely loved it. My husband purchased it for me for my birthday and it has hung where I can see it daily ever since. 

Thanks for the beautiful work of art.

Geri Rippe, Clayhatchee, Alabama

This Tai Chi - or Yin Yang - mosaic is one of a series of Asian family crests or symbols I created 4 years ago. It is 12 x 12" (30 x 30 cm), made of white marble, black granite and beige travertine. 

More of these mosaics can be seen on my site 

www.mosaicblues.com

If you are interested by one of them, would like to discuss a commission or simply chat, please  contact me by phone at (334) 798 1639, or by email at frederic.lecut@gmail.com

How to video : Lay your tesserae - Reverse method.

In this short video I demonstrate how to lay your tesserae.  (the little blocks of stones we learned how to make in the 2 previous videos)

We are using the reverse method here: the tesserae's shiny polished face is glued to the model, upside down. so what we see while building the mosaic is actually a mirror image of the final mosaic.

Once all the tesserae are placed, a rigid support is glued with thinset mortar on top of them and left it to set for 36 hours minimum. Then the whole thing is flipped, and the model removed from the top; there appears the final mosaic for the first time ! This will be the object of future videos. 

With a special appearance of Mugen, great destroyers of foxes, grand destructeurs des renards.

Music by the Mokurai Roosters

How to Video : Cut your own stone tesserae.

In this short video I am showing how to cut short cubes (The "tesserae") out of the long strips of materials we cut in the previous video. These tesserae are the actual building blocks of all traditional mosaics. 

As explained in the video, the tools I am using here, the small anvil - the "Hardie", and the special hammer - the "Martelina" are the same tools our Roman ancestors were using to cut their tesserae.

Wearing eyes protection is extremely important. When you work in a dry environment, or cut in a wet environment with a non continuously rimmed blade, stone, ceramic and glass may break and project in small cutting shards that can be very damaging to your eyes. One of these sliced my nose 2 weeks ago when cutting ceramic tiles. A nice little cut on the nose that bled for quite a while. I just do not want to imagine the damage that would have done to my eyes had I not be wearing goggles.

Practice...

How to Video : Cutting long strips of granite.

In this short video I am showing how cut long strips of materials which you will later use to cut small cubes (the "tesserae) that are the building blocks of all traditional mosaics. 

I am using here a classic black granite tile with a thickness of 3/8" (9mm). The tile saw I am using here is fit with a diamond blade. It would cut diverse materials : granite, marble, slate, ceramic, porcelain, glass as thick as 3/4 " (18mm). It is important to chose a good quality blade with a solid rim. Brick blades simply won't do a very good job and will certainly not cut glass but shatter it.

And yes, I usually wear eyes protections, I just forgot that day. No need to post comment about this. Just do not forget to wear yours.

Practice...

 

The stuff of Mosaic : Stones

Stones are classified base on 2 criteria : how they are made, and what composes them.

Stones were formed a long time ago according to 3 different processes

1 - Born of fire : the Igneous Stones.

These are stones that were once very hot and liquid and cooled down underground. Their grains look like small flecks typically spread consistently throughout stone. They are hard (cannot be scratched by steel) and dense.

Granite is a typical igneous stone used in mosaic. 

Blue Granite

2 - Sedimentary Stones

These stones are formed through the compacting of grains or pieces of any kind of existing rock material. These existing rocks may have been weathered, transported, deposited and then cemented over millions of years by the movement of the earth’s tectonic plates. Sedimentary stones sometimes contain fossils or other distinct features formed at the time of deposition.

Limestones and Travertines are sedimentary stones used in mosaic.

Raw travertine

Gold Travertine

3 - Metamorphic Stone – “Changed in Structure”

They were formed at extremely high pressures and temperatures but did not melt like igneous stones did. The presence of swirls, linear patterns or banding is a key characteristic of metamorphic stones

Marble, Agates, and Slate are metamorphic stones used in mosaic. 

Raw agate

4 slates.

Marble.

2 . Mineral Composition of Stones

Stones basically made of 2 different stuffs  : Silicate (Silicium Oxyde SiO₂₎ and Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃)

21 - Silicates

These stones are made mostly of quartz-like particles called silica. They are very hard, durable and generally acid resistant.

Granites, Flint and Slates are Silicates used in mosaic. 

22 - Calcium Carbonates 

The minerals in these stones were formed under pressure over millions of years from the bodies of tiny fossilized creatures. These stones are softer, less durable than silicates and acid sensitive.

Limestones, Marbles and Travertines are Calcium Carbonates used in mosaic.

 

 

 

Tesshu's Tiger - Travertine and Granite

Mon Mosaics

 

Mon (紋), also monshō (紋), mondokoro (紋所), and kamon (家紋), are Japanese emblems used to decorate and identify an individual or family. 

 

Mon Mosaic, Jikishin Kai, 12 x 12", Granite, Marble

While mon is an encompassing term that may refer to any such device, kamon and mondokoro refer more specifically to emblems used to identify a family.

 

Mon Mosaic, Shogun, 12 x 12" Marble, Travertine, Granite

On the battlefield, mon served as army standards. They were also displayed on Tents and Equipment.

Mon were also adapted by various organizations, such as merchant and artisan guilds, temples and shrines, theater troupes and even criminal gangs. In an illiterate society, they served as useful symbols for recognition.

Mon mosaic, Hakko Ryu, 12 x 12", ceramic, granite, Travertine

Above are 3 mosaics of Mon I realized. I am available to realize one of your choice to display in your home or Dojo. 

You can contact me by e-mail or on Facebook