Mosaic inspiration from Barcelona, Spain

In preparation for my first next mosaic workshop of 2016, I took a trip to Barcelona, Spain for some mosaic inspiration. Rather than rambling on, I will let the photos speak for themselves. I probably took 100's of photographs during my visit to Barcelona. Below is a selection of them for your viewing pleasure.

My first stop had to be one of Antonio Gaudi's greatest works, Park Guell.

Be sure to click on the photos to get a larger view.

Park Güell

Park Guell is one of the most impressive public parks in the world. The park is located in Barcelona and was designed by famous architect Antonio Gaudi.

Gaudi planned and directed the construction of the park from 1900 to 1914 for Eusebi Guell for a residential park intended for sixty single- family residences.

The project became city property in 1923. Though never fully completed, it still remains one of Gaudi's most colorful and playful works.

Palau de la Música Catalana

The Palau de la Música Catalana was built between 1905 and 1908 by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner as a home for the Orfeó Català, financed by popular subscription.

The building is designed around a central metal structure covered in glass, which exploits natural light to make the make Domènech i Montaner's masterpiece into  a magical music box which brings together all the decorative arts: sculpture, mosaic, stained glass and ironwork.

I could not have finished my trip to Barcelona without a trip to Sagrada Familia. 

Sagrada Família

La Sagrada Familia is one of Gaudí's most famous works in Barcelona. It's a giant Basilica that has been under construction since 1882 and it's not expected to be completed until 2026. 

The cathedral has some nice mosaic features (with much more to come) but for me it is the interior that is a triumph.

It is worth noting that all three sites visited above are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a testament to their significance in the mosaic world.

If this post has inspired you to have a go at creating your own piece of mosaic art, I am running a weekend mosaic workshop at Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland on August 27th-28th 2016    

This workshop is open to all levels of experience.

Learn a new skill and create a piece of art for your home or garden in the process.

If you have a larger project in mind, and need help getting started, this workshop is a great way to get you started on the right foot.

The studio sits on the edge of Kinsale town, a touristic gem of west Cork. Bring a packed lunch or head into the town for a bite. Plenty of accommodation available in Kinsale town and surrounding area as well as Cork City itself. A public bus service operates between Cork and Kinsale if traveling without a car.

What does the workshop involve?

 Workshop will involve:

• Introduction to mosaicing materials and tools.
• Introduction to the design process.
• Looking at different mosaicing processes.
• Coming up with a design for your project.
• Creating your masterpiece.
• Introduction to grouts and grouting
• Grouting and finishing your work of art to take home with you.  

Weekend workshop is €180 p/p and includes all materials needed. Teas & Coffees also included. Bring a packed lunch.  Discounts available for group bookings. See below for details. Limited spaces available. Booking essential. AN ADDITIONAL 10% EARLYBIRD DISCOUNT ON ALL BOOKINGS IF YOU BOOK BEFORE JUNE30TH (DISCOUNT CODE: saveme10) 

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Once upon a fairytale garden

So it is a new year, and for many people 2012 is looking pretty bleak indeed. That is why I am re-posting this old post I did last year. This story can help remind us that even from the ashes of devastation and despair, life and prosperity will once again flourish.

Wishing everyone a very happy new year, and I hope 2012 brings you all good health, wealth, and happiness.  

Once upon a time in the hills of the great dividing range of Victoria on the edge of a town called Marysville there was a magical garden. In this magical garden mermaids rested on the sun baked rocks on the edge of cool stream’s while fairy’s and pixies danced in-between the trees as wise old men sat at the base of wise old trees.

Unfortunately for Bruno Torfs and the rest of us this is where the fairy tail ended as on the 7th of February 2009 a bushfire raged through the township, decimating everything in its path without mercy and sadly claimed the lives of many people. Bruno was extremely lucky to survive and the rest of the family are safe and well.

Bruno's home and art gallery were unfortunately completely destroyed in the blaze. The main attraction, the sculpture garden, was also damaged, but around sixty percent of the sculptures have survived.

The pictures of the aftermath show a very eerie looking place. The ghostly looking remains of sculptures look almost shell-shocked and traumatised, as from a seen from a town devastated by war.

Bruno has chosen to stay in Marysville to rebuild his home and restore the gardens. His passion to share his love of art and the story of life with the world has not been damaged by the fires, in fact you would almost say it has been forged anew by the flames that nearly took it all away.

But as with all good fairytales, this story two has a happy ending.
Bruno has been working tirelessly to restore the sculptures and the gardens to their former glory and after months of hard work he declared the gardens reopen on the 29th of November 2009.

Bruno's words: "The bushfires deeply touched us all in many ways. It allowed me to see that people had a heart for each other, that when things really got dark, the best in us comes out. We have lost a lot, but life also provides us opportunities to gain a new vision, lots of new friends and a blank canvas to play. In the meantime, nature is already regenerating itself. The green is slowly returning and the rivers are flowing, finding new ways".

All photos are from Bruno Torfs website