SYNCOPATION SEA in HD

/
In February the Mosaika team went down to Galveston to photograph two of the three murals in the Ocean and Coastal Studies building at Texas A&M University Galveston.  They used a Gigapan, which is a robot that took over 300 images of the mural and stitched them together seamlessly to create a giant file.  This file allows the viewer to zoom in to any part of the mosaic. It really is high definition mosaic.  Click the link below to check it out.

http://www.mosaika.com/gigaview.html

Click here to see more images of the three murals at Texas A&M Galveston University.

SHSU Completed!

/
The scaffolding is gone and the mural is able to breathe in the space.  And it looks great! For now these photos will have to do.  I'll send in a professional to take photos in May when construction is complete.

It was such a pleasure to work with Mosaika again!  To everyone at Mosaika, WHR Architects, Sam Houston State University and Vaughn Construction THANK YOU for making this job possible.








SHSU Days 18, 19, 20 & 21- Finished from top to bottom!

/
The mural is completely grouted and looking amazing!! I'll post more pictures once the scaffolding is removed.  Thanks to everyone on the team, from Mosaika, WHR and Vaugh Construction for a job well done.
Mike making the final finishing touch!










Emily and the final buff.




Looking up from the first landing.








Looking up from the bottom floor.





SHSU 15, 16, 17

/
We had a big few days on the installation.  Most notably we installed the last panel (#144) and had a crew filming it!  Victoria Lightman of Looking At Art and Cressandra Thibodeaux of 14 Pews are working on a TV pilot for a show about Texas collectors and artists.  They came to the job site to do an interview and catch the final panel installation.  Good timing!

Good morning Mr. Frog.

Getting ready to install the remaining panels.


We have guests today!


All that remains to install.




The lovely Victoria Lightman. Nice hat!!

The lovely Cressandra Thibodeaux.

Prepping the wall for the final piece.

Emily speed skating to get the panel.

Bringing over the panel.

In she goes!



The whole team.

All 144 pieces on the wall!


And now cleaning to grout.

Lots of grouting.


Love this shot! Amazing light on the third floor.

The mural blends perfectly with the trees outside.

Kate's amazing detached leg trick.



And now buffing.


Looking good!

SHSU Days 12, 13, 14

/
Another day, another panel goes on the wall.


We made it to the 90s


Today we got additional scaffolding so we can now reach every inch of the 40ft wall.
AND the guys from Big City Access came during lunch break! Perfect timing.

Dancing around the crates

1-2-3, 1-2-3

I think it's a waltz.

Emily happily nipping tile.

The view from the third floor.



Mike measuring to cut... Emily is holding his legs off screen.

Clipping in on the top level of scaffolding.

Teamwork.

We got a visit from Dr. Mitchell Muehsam and Denise Nue!  Denise is the director of facilities and construction and Mitch is the dean of the college of business administration at SHSU.  They were both very excited about the mosaic.


SHSU Days 9, 10, 11

/
Cleaning for repairs...


...mending...

What seam?

More panels ready to go on the wall




Pausing for a perfect photo op.

Working in tight spaces.

Marie, the architect from WHR, came by to check out the progress.
She was impressed and we are all really pleased.
Thanks for stopping by Marie!
Living life on the edge.


How low can she go?


While troweling, Mike grew two more arms.

The view from the second story platform.



Moving up, one step (stool) at a time.

SHSU 6, 7, 8

/
Here are days 6, 7, 8 but they are all starting to run together.  We made it to the outside wall and started grouting inside.   Check out the detail shots from the bottom section of the wall that is now finished except for the final cleaning and buffing.  It's really looking fantastic!


Got to get grout in every crack.

Grouting...

Sponging...

Emily working hard inside and Mike preparing to hop into the mural outside. 

And finally buffing!

So pretty after grouting








Q, last piece outside!



All up and the integration of the outside and inside looks amazing!
Before

After




Love this flower!!!

Sam Houston State University- INSTALL!

/
First day of the installation for Sam Houston State University in the Woodlands.  It's a pleasure to work with Mosaika again.  We are reaching great heights on this one.  Check out their pictures here.  


Mike, always welcome as one of the girls.

Saskia, can I buy a vow_l? 


First piece!

Emily's magic disappearing pants



Wilson?! From Home Improvement?!


Looking up the wall

Emily fishing...

Kate's voguing 


The end of a good day.

Inspired Cake

/
I just received an email from TH Rodgers school, where I participated in career week back in October.  They made a cake inspired by my work.  Yum!!




UPDATE: I got another wonderful email from a TH Rodger student who is kind enough to allow me to post it below.  Thank you Ciera!!


Dear Ms. Gay,
 
        Today in art class we made cakes based on certain artists work. My group chose your peice The Bethnic Zone. The cake took alot of hard work but in the end it turned out fenominal and I would love for you to see it. I havent taken a pictire of it yet for you to see but I will try to take one A.S.A.P. The cake doesnt look exactly like the peice because we didnt have all of the resources to make it exact but I think our hard work paid off. Please write back.
 
Thank You,
Ciera Montoya
T H Rogers 6th Grade Student

Fall Flowers in the Garden

/

Rick Rack Cactus (Selenicereus anthonyanus)
                             Don Juan Rose (Rosa spp.)                    Thryallis (Glaphimia glauca)

Mexican Butterfly Weed (Asclepias curassavica)
Spicy Jatropha (Jatropha integerrima)
                          Coral Vine (Antigonon leptopus)           Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)
Fairy Duster (Calliandra haematocephala)
Portulaca (Portulaca spp.)
Firespike (Odontonema strictum)
Night Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)

Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa)
Peacock Ginger (Kaempferia pulchara)
Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida)
Pink Buttons (Polygonum capitatum)
Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia spp.)

Texas Olive (Cordia boissieri)
Bulbine (Bulbine frutescens)


Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea)
Tropical Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes spp.)
Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)

Turkscap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii)

Canna (Canna spp.)
Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus)

Sweet Memory Duranta (Duranta erecta)
Shrubby Allamanda (Allamanda schottii)

Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia spp.)
Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) with
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Happy 30th Orange Show!!!

/
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
 Had a marvelous time at the Orange Show's 30th Anniversary Gala! The dress code was come as the star you are.   Being a Leo, I came as the sun.  My arm candy is a rock-n-roll star.

Check out the article in Houston Culture map here:


Kate and I also helped make the amazing 12ft cake mentioned in the article.
Here is a picture taken while setting it up Saturday morning.  
It was a lot of work, as well as a lot of fun.


Good News from Dallas!

/








The Dallas Observer has posted a link to a sneak peak of the public art to appear in the New Love Field Airport.  Notice the mosaic wildflower wall I proposed for the main entry lobby wall...

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2011/10/take_an_early_stroll_through_t.php

I'm really excited about this project and to be part of such a great collection. Checking the website in the next few weeks for images of the design and the beginning of the painting.