This is my latest sculpture-for-mosaic.
I began this project indoors back in November.
I created the armature out of styrofoam that I then covered in
fiberglass mesh dredged through a cement slurry. Its a messy process.
After the fiberglass mesh set, I covered the whole sculpture
with cement - molding and shaping as I went.
I had envisioned a flat-shaped fish jumping
out of the water.
As the sculpting progressed I knew I needed
more room to work on him. I also knew I needed to move him closer
to where he would be finally displayed - because as I added
Thinset, glass and grout, he would become heavier and heavier.
So I moved him out to my front porch and worked on him there
when the weather permitted. It being winter, however,
I had to stop for many days at a time.
Slowly, though, he took shape!
So here he is finished from many angles.
I cut each piece by hand and laid them specifically in relation
to each other - to make the colors blend in the viewers eye.
The lay pattern on the back is my first attempt at the Opus Vermiculatum style of mosaic.
The underside of his tail is a swirling freeform mosaic style.
Flat Fish Extravaganza
Finished April 1, 2011
30" tall x 29" wide x 34" long
