Marvelous Miami Mosaics!

A whole week in Miami at Design Impact learning mosaic techniques. What a blast! Gina Hubler is an amazing mosaic artist and we enjoyed both her expertise and her lively sense of humor. During her frequent absences we were privileged to be lovingly guided by her talented apprentice, Veronica. Veronica is also extremely talented and working on an amazing piece that will be in a Cuban church when finished. Between the two teachers we were able to nearly complete three projects, each in different types of mosaic techniques. A week is barely enough time to sample techniques. Gina showed us classical setting, tile setting and smalti (Byzantine glass) setting. Please see her website for available classes.

Here are our tile mirrors drying before we are able to grout.
This is my piece, before it was grouted.
Here we are grouting in the pouring rain. You see Veronica's back (Gina had personal business most mornings), and at the end of the table is my new friend Gail who lives near where my husband and I are moving. Can't wait to get together and see all her mosaic projects! The rain kept us from being able to finish all our projects since it seriously slowed drying time. Thanks Veronica for being so patient and helpful!
Here are my classmates. Gail (left standing) is working on her yin/yang turtle tabletop. Bonnie (black tanktop) and Gail are sisters and have collaborated on mosaic projects. I can't wait to see their outdoor shower! Bonnie made a beautiful pink flamingo, which you see here in early stages. Vivian (far right standing) set her tabletop with three large leaves. Sitting with her back to us in this picture is Margo. Margo is a printmaker from Wisconsin, whose amazing sturgeons came out fabulous. She showed us many pictures of real sturgeons which are caught during the winter on Lake Winnebago, near her and Vivian. Her sturgeons were beautiful and colorful!

Open, Illustration Friday challenge

Grow means a lot of things, soon I'll have my own veggie garden. I'm growing into a whole new lifestyle. Every thing you learn is a kind of growth. Growing stronger by allowing everything to happen and just being curious about it, rather than worrying about it or denying it.

The Fernery

The Fernery! Building will begin very soon now. We have the site plan, and most if not all of the required documents to take to the county for building permits. Roger is getting bids for various things, like concrete and plumbing. My good friend Larry is coming up with more folks who are local who are interested in working on some part. Friday I spent all day staking out protected trees, the area to be mulched for the big trucks to drive on, driveways. We are putting down mulch to protect the tree roots from the compaction which will occur with all the big trucks that will be coming in during the building process. We will have at least 9 concrete trucks!

Working on a google map with local area interest. There is so much to see and do in the area, especially if you are interested in hiking, biking, fishing, boating, birding. We are so LUCKY! Come visit

Free Cemetary Images on my website

Here's the famous Buck headstone, you may copy any of the photos from Maine cemeteries on my website.

Hope you will be enjoying a spooky Halloween!

Pleasures of Fall

Dear Reader, are you ready for Fall? Have you seen leaves changing yet? Here is a piece of paper that I made with a leaf skeleton in paper class a week ago. Gampo fibers. We use the Japanese method of papermaking, drying on plywood boards.

It's so good to be back taking classes. Everything shuts down here in the summer, in Florida. There aren't enough full time residents to keep classes full. Fall starts up a lot of things here in South Florida. Soon the art festivals will be starting, and the outdoor antique shows. My favorite things to do on weekends, shop outdoors! LOL!

I owe you some more pictures from Maine. They're coming up...