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This page contains links to pages that describe the making of the mosaic in question; the links contain pictures and descriptions of the creation process and the problems that I encountered during their execution. - While creating Michael the Archangel, my guardian angel was Lia Catalano, a wonderful mosaicist herself, who not only guided me throughout the entire process, but was a source of inspiration (and tesserae) to me as well; check out her website at http://www.hannacroismosaics.com. Of great help in ensuring that I had all the material I required, particularly in emergencies, was another really nice person, Michele Petno of Smalti.com; visit her website at http://www.smalti.com. The materials used in this mosaic were primarily smalti, vitreous glass, gold and jewels. - The "Male torso" is my first venture into using marble as tesserae. Having never used this medium before, I thought it might be interesting to record the pleasures and problems I came across while using it. The subject is done in marble and gold smalti. The surround (background) utilizes smalti and metallic vitreous tile. All the material is from Italy, obtained at this website -> http://www.tabvlarasa.com. The owner, Stefano Dazzi was of great help in being able to not only send me the marble tiles, but also with furnishing me a polishing medium for the marble itself. - With "A Midsummer Night's Dream", I am endeavoring to portray some of the characters in Shakespeare's comedy as a collection of masks set in a forest complete with elves and sprites. Most of the material used here were obtained from Smalti.com -> http://www.smalti.com. Smalti, metallic vitreous glass and a few jewels are being used here. - The "Celestial Bird" (peacock) is an attempt to create a stylized form of an ancient Indo-Persian bird, revered in both Indian and Islamic art and literature. Smalti, gold and jewels are to be used in the creation. Of special interest is the usage of "transparent" smalti, sent to me by Stefano Dazzi of Tabularasa -> http://www.tabvlarasa.com. The rest of the smalti was obtained at Michele Petno's Smalti.com -> http://www.smalti.com. - Dante's Inferno: As the name suggests, this is an attempt to recreate a vision of Hell, based on characters from Dante's classic. Subjects from several of the nine circles of Hell are created with Lucifer (Dis) as the central figure. Smalti is the material of choice here; all tesserae have been obtained either through this site -> http://www.tabvlarasa.com or at Michele Petno's website -> http://www.smalti.com. - Carnevale di Venezia: With this theme, I am attempting to create a series of characters from the Commedia dell'Arte in caricature. The series is composed of four characters, those of Arlecchino, Columbina, Il Capitano and Pulchinella. As a note, this entry is merely a collection of pictures and notes of each of the characters while they are being created, and there is no attempt being made to teach technique. Smalti, millefiore and jewels will be the materials of choice here; all tesserae have been obtained either through this site -> http://www.tabvlarasa.com or at Michele Petno's website -> http://www.smalti.com. - Gryphon (also known as griffin): Like the name says, this is an attempt to create a griffin mosaic in a round frame! Am using an old mirror for the purpose. Being a mythological character, the subject of the griffin is dealt with in much detail by Robert Graves and Thomas Bullfinch in their study of mythology. Like the previous entry, this one too is merely a log of work-in-progress pictures. Smalti, marble, metallic vitreous tile and millefiore will be the materials of choice here; all tesserae have been obtained either through this site -> http://www.tabvlarasa.com or at Michele Petno's website -> http://www.smalti.com. - Gothic Angel: This mosaic is inspired by Fra Angelico's painting of the Linaiuoli triptych. The painting has a series of "musician angels", one of which has been used as a basis for this mosaic. This page is only a log of work-in-progress pictures created for the sole purpose of letting the viewer see the different stages of creation. Smalti, gold, jewels, metallic vitreous tile and millefiore are the materials of choice here; all tesserae have been obtained either through this site -> http://www.tabvlarasa.com or at Michele Petno's website -> http://www.smalti.com. - Triumph of Lust: This is an attempt to depict Lust, one of the "Seven Deadly Sins", based on a Renaissance tapestry series of the same name. The main figures are Lust herself, Carnal Desire and Voluptuousness. Other minor subjects are also introduced. Smalti is the material of choice here; all tesserae have been obtained either through this site -> http://www.tabvlarasa.com or at Michele Petno's website -> http://www.smalti.com. Besides, smalti, murrines, jewels, gold and vitreous tile will also be used. |