glass mosaic tile art studio of william j enslen jr
| Chapter 7 Backgrounds and Borders Page 2 |
Figure 7-4 shows a closeup view of the reflection off the ocean. Notice how I used varying colors of vitreous glass tiles hand-cut into
quarters and laid in simple opus regulatum. Hand-cutting resulted in irregular squares that resulted in imperfect lines, which enhances the
look.
quarters and laid in simple opus regulatum. Hand-cutting resulted in irregular squares that resulted in imperfect lines, which enhances the
look.
Figure 7-4. The Background Presents the Ocean and Reflection
The background style dominating much of my work is a modified opus palladianum. The typical opus palladianum uses loose-fitting
triangular shapes with sharp angles. Instead, I use rounded shapes that fit tightly together. The loose-fitting triangles seem too disorganized
to me. My nature compels me to fit the tesserae tightly like a puzzle.
I once tried the random, loose-fitting style, but I couldn't do it. I struggled to copy the style of my favorite mosaic artist by using irregular
tesserae shapes laid to resemble a loose weave. The artist's work is magnificent; however, I just couldn't get the same look. No matter
what I did, my tesserae always reverted back to the tight-fitting, rounded, triangular shapes. It bugged me every time I worked on my
mosaic, like a stubborn splinter, festering, driving me crazy. I finally gave up and used a screwdriver to pry up the whole background. I
started over, realizing that I had found my own style and that it would be futile to copy someone else's. I immediately returned to my
comfort zone of using rounded, triangular shapes fitted tightly together. Figure 7-5 shows a sample of my favorite background style.
triangular shapes with sharp angles. Instead, I use rounded shapes that fit tightly together. The loose-fitting triangles seem too disorganized
to me. My nature compels me to fit the tesserae tightly like a puzzle.
I once tried the random, loose-fitting style, but I couldn't do it. I struggled to copy the style of my favorite mosaic artist by using irregular
tesserae shapes laid to resemble a loose weave. The artist's work is magnificent; however, I just couldn't get the same look. No matter
what I did, my tesserae always reverted back to the tight-fitting, rounded, triangular shapes. It bugged me every time I worked on my
mosaic, like a stubborn splinter, festering, driving me crazy. I finally gave up and used a screwdriver to pry up the whole background. I
started over, realizing that I had found my own style and that it would be futile to copy someone else's. I immediately returned to my
comfort zone of using rounded, triangular shapes fitted tightly together. Figure 7-5 shows a sample of my favorite background style.
Figure 7-5. Tabletop with My Background Style of Tight-Fitting Puzzle Pieces
You, too, will eventually find your own style. While on your journey finding it, observe how other artists fill their backgrounds. Experiment
by copying and modifying their styles. Someday, you'll sit at your worktable telling yourself to cut circular tesserae for the background, but
then find that each piece you cut looks like a square. No matter how hard you try to make circles, you end up with squares. It's hard to
believe, but it happens. When that time comes, you will have found your comfort zone. You will have found your own style.
After realizing I found mine, I stumbled onto something else about my style. Groups of triangles began converging on their own focal
points. Instead of a bunch of randomly placed rounded triangles, they magically began having a sense of order. Notice in Figure 7-6 how
the background is filled with these little groups that blend into themselves. The arrows in Figure 7-6 define the focal points for several
groups. Notice how each group has about six or seven triangles coming together at a focal point. How many other groups can you find on
the tabletop?
by copying and modifying their styles. Someday, you'll sit at your worktable telling yourself to cut circular tesserae for the background, but
then find that each piece you cut looks like a square. No matter how hard you try to make circles, you end up with squares. It's hard to
believe, but it happens. When that time comes, you will have found your comfort zone. You will have found your own style.
After realizing I found mine, I stumbled onto something else about my style. Groups of triangles began converging on their own focal
points. Instead of a bunch of randomly placed rounded triangles, they magically began having a sense of order. Notice in Figure 7-6 how
the background is filled with these little groups that blend into themselves. The arrows in Figure 7-6 define the focal points for several
groups. Notice how each group has about six or seven triangles coming together at a focal point. How many other groups can you find on
the tabletop?
Figure 7-6. Multiple Groups of Tesserae, Each with its Own Focal Point
My nature requires neatness and order. I suppose my subconscious takes control trying to bring order to my mosaics by arranging the
individual triangular shapes into those little groups. That's okay with me because that style of background pleases my eye more than a
completely random layout (for some reason, it's more comforting to me).
I'm sure some purist mosaic critic somewhere will scold me for using tightly fitting puzzle pieces instead of following a more traditional
style. Frankly, I don't care what the Byzantine Romans did 700 years ago and I don't care what critics think. I know what I like without
conforming to someone else's idea of good versus bad. If you feel the same, then be free to find your own style without regard to outside
influences.
By the way, referring back to Figure 7-5, the seven gray pieces of tessera in the center represent a cloud. The light-blue gradually changing
to dark represents the sky. The lighter blues are at a distance from the viewer while the darker blues are closer. I wonder if anyone will
ever interpret it that way.
individual triangular shapes into those little groups. That's okay with me because that style of background pleases my eye more than a
completely random layout (for some reason, it's more comforting to me).
I'm sure some purist mosaic critic somewhere will scold me for using tightly fitting puzzle pieces instead of following a more traditional
style. Frankly, I don't care what the Byzantine Romans did 700 years ago and I don't care what critics think. I know what I like without
conforming to someone else's idea of good versus bad. If you feel the same, then be free to find your own style without regard to outside
influences.
By the way, referring back to Figure 7-5, the seven gray pieces of tessera in the center represent a cloud. The light-blue gradually changing
to dark represents the sky. The lighter blues are at a distance from the viewer while the darker blues are closer. I wonder if anyone will
ever interpret it that way.
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