A tide pool in the making.
When I first posted images of the completed “Tide Pool Table” to Twitter, Facebook and Flickr, a number of people asked me how I’d designed it, or suggested that I post images of the mosaic in progress.
I had taken a few shots of the tabletop as I worked on it, but very few. In spite of that, I am going to try to show you how it came into being.
It all started with a patio side table that had seen better days. The table had a chip out of its plain glass top and seemed a prime candidate for a mosaic makeover.
One day while we were doing a little beach combing I realized that tide pools would make great subject matter for mosaic art. First of all, I’m a big fan of tide pools, but also because they are so beautiful and full of shape and colour and movement. I also thought they would lend themselves very well to work in glass, my new favourite medium. When I started work on the table, I knew it would be my first tide pool piece.
I had planned to follow what I believed to be standard protocol, and make a sketch or visual plan of what I hoped the finished piece would look like. I sketched it but realized that I didn’t have the patience to make a plan for every piece of glass. That’s when it occurred to me that sketches have never been part of my art making m.o. I have always preferred to work organically and let a piece develop as I worked.
I looked at various images of tide pools from my own photos and images on the web. Once I had some basic shapes, colours and textures in mind I set out cutting glass. I lay the cut glass out in little piles as I imagined I wanted to place them.
I began with an area that was to be a sort of purple anemone and started gluing down tesserae. By the time I’d finished that, all other plans were forgotten and I just continued to lay down glass creating elements as they occurred to me, occasionally going back and removing pieces that weren’t working. I referred back to the tide pool photos periodically and continued to build.
I should probably add, that the gluing was not quite as easy as I’ve made it sound. First was the process of selecting the proper adhesive for the job and that was a job in itself. I won’t bore you with the details, but I did find a clear glue that promised to hold glass to glass on a piece of outdoor furniture. So far so good.
Once I had finished the tabletop and was happy with the outcome I turned my attention to grout. I decided a dark charcoal grout would set the piece off well and be most appropriate for an underwater scene. I grouted the mosaic with a few whoopses here and there, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. When the mosaic was grouted, cured and sealed, I secured the entire top into the frame of the table with a flexible grout, but not until I’d repainted the metal table base.
I am so excited to be creating again and I have to admit that I think this piece turned out rather well. The table now sits on our veranda where we spend some part of almost every fair weather day, and I’m always happy to see it.
I’m also happy to say that I have my next project well under way and look forward to showing it to you. Thank you for looking in.
Beautiful and a narrative that allows us to hear how it all came together. It is a wonderful view of a tide pool – just as I would like to imagine it to be. Thanks for sharing Cate.
Thank you Donna. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I absolutely love that table Cate! It was wonderful to hear the design process as well! I'm the same way when it comes to creating art (in any and all mediums) just can't do the "draw a plan" thing. Organic is the way to go! Look forward to hearing more about you, your art and your process!
Thank you Kathleen. I know, I've tried the sketch, plan thing but it just isn't what works for me. Glad I'm not alone.
I just met you and you husband here in my gallery on the High Road to Taos (the Anna Karin Gallery). I had to check out your blog right away. You are doing gorgeous work! I think I mentioned Irvin Trujillo of Centinella Traditional Arts while you were here. He's a 7th generation weaver and his work is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian. I'm bringing him up here because he, also, works organically (as do I). He never weaves the same thing twice and he doesn't plan what he's going to do once he's on the loom. I believe art springs from just doing it. Welcome back to your art! And I hope you'll be picking up those brushes soon.
Thank you Jeane for checking out the site and for your kind words and encouragement. It was a great pleasure meeting you and touring your beautiful gallery. Your work is wonderful. I've also visited your website and look forward to spending some time with it. Talking with you was so inspiring, I'm sure I'll find your blog to be the same. I'll look forward to popping in again the next time I'm fortunate enough to be traveling on The High Road to Taos.
Your work is so beautiful, Cate! Thanks for sharing the background story to this lovely piece.
Thank you Irene. I'm so very pleased you enjoyed it.
The table is beautiful Cate—no wonder you love to do art…. you are good at it. Very impressive… looking forward to seeing your next piece.
Thank you so much Sue! So glad you stopped by. The next piece is on the way.
Cate!
Oh my, this is sooooo crazy awesome! Just so beautiful!
I want it, ha! 
I love hearing about your design process as well. 
Thanks for sharing with us. 
Also, thank you so much for linking me in your, creatives to visit! 
Hugs!
-Wendy
Thank you so very much Wendy. I'm thrilled by your response..although I might not share the location of my veranda with you.
Linking to your site was a natural. Hugs back!
Stunning! Tide pools facinate me too and you've captured one beautifully. Hank wants to know if you're interested in selling it!
Glad to see you're exercising your creativity and looking forward to your future projects.
Britta
Thank you so much Britta. I'm really enjoying being back to creating. I don't think Jack would be happy if I sold this one, but there will be more!!!
Cate, your mosaic is beautiful! It look more like the tidepool than I could have imagined! What an excellent replica. I'm looking forward to seeing your next project!
Best regards,
Julie
Thank you Julie. that's very kind. Next project is about two weeks form completion! Cheers
Gorgeous tables Cate! Love looking at all you create!
Thank you Lori. I love creating it.