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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Weekend Mosaic workshop with Stone Art

I will be running a weekend mosaic workshop at my studio in Donabate, Co. Dublin the 23rd-24th of May.

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 on the right track.

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.  

Workshop includes all materials needed. Teas & Coffees included. Bring a packed lunch.

Weekend workshop cost €180. Discounts available for group bookings. Limited spaces available. Booking essential. See bottom of page to book.

Subject to demand, open studio days can be arranged for students who wish to carry on working on their projects. €45 pp (use of workspace and tools only) materials not included.

Studio located 10 minutes from Dublin airport and just 5 minutes outside Donabate village. For those wishing to use public transport there is a train station in Donabate village and I am happy to come pick you up there and bring you to the studio if pre arranged.

Weekend workshop cost €180. Discounts available for group bookings. Limited spaces available. Booking essential. 

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The Family Tree Mosaic

As part of the sculptural outdoor classroom that I am working on at the moment for a school here in Dublin, I was asked to incorporate a tree somewhere into the design to represent the 'Family Tree'. The 'Family Tree' is a song which has come to symbolise the 'Croí na Scoile' (The heart of the school).

I was also asked to give the students a chance to have some input into the outdoor classroom so that they can make it their own (a very important part of the process for sure) 

My solution to this was to create a large stone mosaic of the tree into the wall of the structure and to then let the students paint the leaves of the tree on precut tiles.

Past pupils, staff, board and PTA members (past and present) received a leaf to design and paint.

Almost 100 leaf tiles were painted as well as another 70 square tiles that make up the border around the mosaic.

It was great to spend some time in the classroom with students and see the excitement about creating their very own piece of art that will remain part of the outdoor classroom for years to come.

Painting the leaf tiles in class

The finished leaf tiles painted by the students

Many many hours went into the making of the stone part of the mosaic, far more than anyone will ever know, but now that it is finished I know that it was all worth it. 

The roots of the tree

The border tiles that surround the mosaic spell out 'All different all equal' as well as its Irish translation 'Gach duine atá difriúil ach freisin cothrom'  

There is still lots to do before the outdoor classroom is complete with lots more exciting features and student involvement also, so I will get back to work now, and will post more about the outdoor classroom once it is completed.