Illustrated Reverse Method

In the Reverse Method the mosaic is build upside down.

Everything begins with a model, mirror image of the final piece. To allow for easier cleaning, I ask my printer to laminated mine between 2 thin sheets of plastic.

The tesserae are glued upside down on the model with a water soluble glue.

At this stage, only a few  beige tumbled Travertine and black Granite tesserae had been laid.

Later, all the Travertine and Granite had been laid.

And I started to lay iridescent red glass in the background of the Michi Sign.

Once all tesserae were laid,

Came the time to apply the Thinset mortar on top of the piece.

And glue the support on top of its back...



48 hours later, once the mortar is properly cured, one flips the mosaic

Et voila le travail !

This particular mosaic represents the Chinese Ideogram TAO, also pronounced "Do" or "Michi" in Japanese. It was commissioned by a Martial Art Instructor to display in her Atlanta dojo.

 

If you are interested by a similar piece or by an other of my works, please contact me by email at frederic.lecut@gmail.com or by phone at (334) 798 1639.

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Crouching Tiger

Tesshu's Tiger is a mosaic rendering of Yamaoka Tesshu's Calligraphy "Tiger.

Yamaoka Tesshū 山岡 鉄舟, (1836 – 1888) was a famous 19th century samurai. He played an important role in the Meiji Restoration and among other things negotiated with Saigo Takamori better known as "the last Samurai". Tesshu also was a Kendo Master the founder of the Itto Shoden Muto-ryu school of swordsmanship, a Shodo (Calligraphy) Master, and a Zen Master. 

In Taoism, the couple Tiger - Dragon is another symbol for the Yin-Yang Symbol - Tiger generally being the Yang, fiery aspect, and Dragon, the Yin earthy aspect.

Tesshu's Tiger was commissionned by my friend Yoko, a gifted Japanese swordswoman and massage therapist in Pensacola, Florida.  Tesshu's Tiger as well as its sister Tesshu's Dragon is made of Travertine and black granite, it measures 18 x 50". 

Although these pieces were sold, I can reproduce them for you.