Inspiration Boards, How I Use Them

Using inspiration from these two gowns, I created 'Constance'.  17 H x 10 W  $2750
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

I am love, loving Pinterest; the latest online social media tool/toy!  Pinterest allows me to draw inspiration from numerous sources, organize them into categories and revert back to them whenever I choose.  It also allows me to share these inspirations with my 'followers'.  While not every detail of every gown I 'pin' can be translated into tile, I can take certain details like a neckline, a colorway, a waistline, a hemline- and interpret them into tile mosaic gowns.  In this blog post, I have grouped together the inspiration images with the finished tile mosaic gowns.  Let me know what you think by joining in the 'conversation' on Pinterest, 

click here.

Loving this one shoulder dress by Jenny Packham worn by Kate Middleton and Angelina Jolie.  I paired by favorite blue and white china with deep black tiles and beads to create 'Miss Willowby', 22 H x 12 W, $3250,
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

I combined this Valentino dress worn by Felicity Jones and the colors separated by 'Chip It' tool from Sherwin Williams to make 'Miss Alford', 17 H x 10 W, $2750,
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

Felicity Jones again, this time wearing a Miu Miu dress.  I used white beads throughout to replicate the pearls on Felicity's dress to create 'Miss Roselyn', 22 H x 12 W, $3250,
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel, Bermuda , 441-298-4000

Show Opening at Rosewood Tucker's Point Hotel, Bermuda

Upon arrival, I paired each base with the pre-broken tile and china I planned to use.

I have just returned from a whirlwind trip to Bermuda.  While this may sound exotic to most, I was working.  I have a great relationship with Rosewood Tucker's Point and this trip represented my 3rd annual working sojourn to the island.  I spend about 10 days creating sculptures for the hotel to display and sell in their lobby shop, Regali.  The hotel provides me with a studio space to work in.  

How did this come about?  I was a resident on the island for 17 years, married to a Bermudian.  We had our three children on the island and are still very connected to friends and colleagues.  During the Grand Opening Celebration of the hotel, I was invited to display my sculptures.  They were so well received, the hotel invited me to keep a few on hand to sell.  I now sell more sculptures from the hotel than all my galleries combined.  

When we moved to Colorado almost 3 years ago, I had to figure out a way to keep showing my work on the island with out paying enormous shipping costs and incurring customs fees on completed pieces.  Simple math is that it is cheaper for me to fly over, take my materials and create the pieces on site.

Sculptures with completed mosaics, ready to grout.

 You may ask how I can spend only 10 days and create so much work? These days are just the time I spend doing the mosaic and the grouting.  In advance of my trip, I spend time gathering delicate china from antique dealers, auction houses and flea markets.   I attend bead shows to select strands from around the world.  I source  tile from Italy and Mexico.  I spent over six months designing the unique Styrofoam structures, created especially for me, and used as the bases for my sculptures.  I source dress inspirations throughout the year.  I translate dress designs into tile. In advance of my travels, I break the tiles, cut all the china and cover the Styrofoam bases with fiberglass and several layers of concrete, allowing me to hit the ground running when I arrive.  Once on the island, I throw open the doors of the studio, let the fresh air and sun shine in, and get to work! 

To see images of the completed pieces and from the night of the Opening, please click here.  I am interested in securing another hotel venue to replicate a similar arrangement with my sculptures.  Please email me if you or someone you know would be open to having a conversation.

  

Fantasy Decorating with Tracery Interiors and House Beautiful Magazine

This is definitely a 'House Beautiful', I just want to move in! What a wonderful job the design team at

Tracery Interiors did with this home in Alabama.  The photography of these spaces is superb and really captures the intimacy of this home.  My sculptures would fit right in- don't you agree!

Wouldn't it be fun to see 'Miss Heather Gray' right on the corner of this over-sized island

'Miss Heather Gray'  22 H x 12 W
$4000.00
Available from E.S. Lawrence Gallery, Aspen, CO

I would love to see a sculpture tucked in under the sconce.

Commission Piece,  17 H X 12 W
Private Collection

'Natalia' would fit right in either on the coffee table or on the mantel.

'Natalia', 12 H x 6 W
$1250.00
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa, Bermuda

Fantasy Decorating- Another Round!

I am eager to feature sculptures that are ready to ship for Christmas!  As we doll up our houses for the holidays, here are some Fantasy Decorating pairings that show pieces available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda and BlueStone Gallery in Philadelphia.  Imagine having these beauties to enjoy all the year through!

'Miss Olivia Rose'    22 H x 12 W
$2500.00
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa, Bermuda

'Natalia'  12 H x 6 W
$1250.00
Available from Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa, Bermuda

'Miss Enchantment 2'  22 H x 12 W
$3500.00
Available from BlueStone Gallery, Philadelphia 

Miss Bermuda Rose

Meet 'Miss Bermuda Rose'.  'Miss Bermuda Rose' is 22 inches tall and has a lovely rose pattern on the china plate.  I used coordinating pink beads at the neckline and pink tiles through out the piece.  She is very dainty and feminine.  I was a little worried that the sea foam pearl green tiles along with the pink would look too much like it belonged in a baby's nursery.  But actually, she is delicate and sophisticated at the same time.  As she was destined to continue her journey in Bermuda, I titled her 'Miss Bermuda Rose', I miss the old Bermuda roses.  They too are dainty and feminine.  

I am still loving this halter neckline.  I forget each time I attempt it, that I must then complete the piece with the concrete and this neckline is more difficult to accomplish.  I usually get irritated with myself in the middle of doing it, but then I am happy with the results at the end!  'Miss Bermuda Rose' is gracing the lobby of the Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda.

Willow Bliss

 Please welcome 'Willow Bliss'.  'Willow Bliss' is 12 inches tall and is the second piece delivered to Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel and Spa in Bermuda this week.  Traditionally, I like to mix the blue and white china patterns, but in this piece, I have used Blue Willow pattern exclusively.  I am loving working with this size piece as it allows me to use the smaller plates, like salad plates.  

I found these beads last summer and they coordinate perfectly with the blue in the Blue Willow pattern.  They are clear with blue flecks running through them.  This piece is the perfect size for placing on a dressing table or  entry hall table.  Or maybe even on a book shelf.  I wonder where she will end up?

Introducing Miss Yacht Club

Introducing 'Miss Yacht Club'.  'Miss Yacht Club' is 12 inches tall and is created using a lovely yellow plate with royal blue on the rim.  The royal blue coordinates perfectly with the Blue Willow pattern I use so often.  I have used the 'middles' of the Blue Willow plates for the bodice.  I truly enjoy these two colors together and think 'Miss Yacht Club' would look fabulous next to 'Miss Soleil'.  

Miss Soleil
 

'Miss Yacht Club' is named for the blue and yellow curtains hanging in the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.  All I kept thinking about while making the piece were those curtains!  If they have redecorated, I will be crushed!   'Miss Yacht Club' was delivered this morning to the Rosewood Tuckers Point Hotel & Spa in Bermuda.