Laurie Spugnardi

Archive for the ‘goings on in the studio’ Category

Keeping Casco Bay Blue, One Tile at a Time

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

THAT’S ME, IN THE LOWER LEFT CORNER.

MY DOG, SARA, FROLICKING ON WILLARD BEACH IN CASCO BAY.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Mostly, about the animals and humans who inhabit the gulf waters and its coast. It breaks my heart to think what they are going through. I was trying to imagine if my bay became the victim of an oil spill. I live on Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. I love this bay and it would be devastating if 174 million gallons of crude (or anything for that matter) took over the waters. This is where a big chunk of Maine works and plays… not to mention the visitors who spend their summers and dollars here. Maine is not a rich state, but it is known for its beautiful and bountiful coast. We rely on these waters for just about everything. Anyway, like I said, I love this bay and want it to remain part of what makes Maine… The Way Life Should Be. (That’s what it says on the really big sign as you enter our state from New Hampshire.)
So, here’s to keeping Casco Bay blue! To that end, I will be donating a portion of every sale from my Casco Bay Tray to the good folks at Friends of Casco Bay.

5% of all sales will be donated to Friends of Casco Bay. Visit their site for other ways to enjoy the bay and to keep it blue!

The bay is represented in a watery and reflective blue while the coast and islands are a mat and earthy green. Each tile is hand drawn, glazed and then kiln fired. Slight variations in line and glaze color will occur. The tiles are grouted into a sturdy, handled tray and ready for serving on deck (or your back deck). 13 5/8″ square, 2 5/8″ at handle, 4 lbs

Price: $125 +5% sales tax
Domestic shipping: $15
Order your tray today for 4 to 6 week delivery. Email Me (or lauriespugnardi@gmail.com)
Keep the bay blue and spread the blog. Thank You!

Tags: casco bay, ceramic tile tray, friends of casco bay, gulf of maine, gulf oil spill, hand painted tile, maine coast, willard beach
Posted in goings on in the studio, inspiration, sustainable design | No Comments »

Bubbly Bathroom Mirror Free-Form Mosaic

Monday, July 12th, 2010

BATHROOM MIRROR FREE-FORM MOSAIC

I recently finished up a project in my bathroom. I had a vision of sparkling, sea green bubbles and lots of movement as a decorative accent to an otherwise very white room. I could have done something in the standard square tile format but I’ve always wanted to create a free-form mosaic and thought this would be the perfect opportunity. What’s more flowing than water and bubbles!? I purchased and inserted a few round mirror tiles that mimic the “floating” vanity mirror. They also add movement and pick up colors from other areas of the bathroom. I’ve included a few process photos below.

PRODUCTION: ROLLING, CUTTING AND DRYING CLAY TILES

TILES: BISQUED TO CONE 04

TILES: GLAZED WITH MY SECRET SEA-FOAM RECIPE AND FIRED TO CONE 05

TILES ARRANGED AND ADHESIVED TO WALL

FREE-FORM MOSAIC: DETAIL

Tags: bathroom mosaic, ceramic tile, free form mosaic, mirror mosaic
Posted in goings on in the studio, just for fun, product design | 2 Comments »

The Diptych Project, part one

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

I’ve been invited to participate in this years Diptych Project. The Diptyich Project was started a few years ago by New England Wax. This talented group of encaustic artists has been organizing this project for a few years now. Here’s how it works: Artists are paired up and begin making a painting. The paintings are given to their partner who will create a response painting. Each artist will create two paintings. There is only one rule: the size must be 18 x 12. This year, New England Wax has invited mosaic artists to join in the fun. My partner is Kimberly Curry. She lives just over the bridge in Portland, but we’ve never met before. She and I will be switching pieces this week and will begin our response pieces. There are 36 artists (18 encaustic and 18 mosaic) involved in the project which will tour new england galleries later this summer.

This is the piece I will give to Kim. I found inspiration while on a trip to Damarascotta to watch the alewives run. May is spawning time for alewives here in Maine. The fish, which spend most of its life in the ocean, crowd into a narrow fish ladder to make the long journey (for a fish) from the bay up to Damarascotta Lake to spawn. I was mesmerized by the moving pattern of crowded fish. It also happens to be when the poppies bloom. I loved the warm and bright poppies floating in a spring breeze in contrast to the dark layers of wriggling fish in the cold and bubbly water. Good stuff.

Poppy and Alewife, 2010

poppy_inkiln_blog poppy_glaze_blog

I look forward to seeing what Kim has made and to start my response piece…

Tags: alewife, alewives, ceramic mosaic, damarascotta, maine, poppies
Posted in goings on in the studio, inspiration, just for fun, shows & exhibitions | No Comments »

intricate tile in the william morris style

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

I love William Morris’ wallpaper designs, though I admit, an entire room would make me feel like grabbing the hedge clippers. His wallpaper patterns have a certain quality of texture, line and downright coziness to them that intrigues. Here is my attempt at enhancing those qualities: wax line method to create real 3D texture; the use of matt and gloss glazes to add depth; enlarged and cropped sections to draw attention to motifs and line-work. At this point, I think one tile, simply framed would be lovely to hang on a wall or for use as a trivet. It’s my first go-round with this series and I’m happy enough with the results to keep experimenting. What do you think?

wm_linedraw sections of black and white wallpaper, enlarged, transferred onto 6″ bisque tile then overdrawn with black wax (see technique on my hand painted tile page)

wm_crow1_blog crow and flowers, glazed and fired. I captured this photo at an angle to show the use of matt and gloss glazes.

wm_crow2_blog crow and flowers.

wm_grapes1_blog grapes and foliage, glazed and fired.

wm_grapes2_blog grapes and foliage.

Besides wallpaper, William Morris (and protégé William De Morgan) also designed tile for the home. Here are a few samples of their work.
11347-large Tiles images

Tags: art tile, crow, tile design, william morris, william morris tile
Posted in goings on in the studio, inspiration, surface design | No Comments »

asian inspired ceramic tile mural: update

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Just thought I would load the final installment of the mural I worked on this winter for the Tea Room at Hara Massage and Wellness Center in Falmouth Maine. Visit my recent post of the project in progress. Here are the images of the final in its custom frame by Phil at Shininglass Studio and the mural installed in the tea room.
hara_final_blog
hara_tearoom_blog