Mega Mosaics Phase 2

Here's the update on the second and third panel in our triptych...

After many more long, hot hours we finished gluing the tile on the last two panels.

We used handmade tile from New Mexico, International Materials of Design, Dal Tile, Lowe's, Home Depot, and handmade some of our own clay pieces in our kiln for some of the round accents.  We also got some of the accents from antique stores in Fort Worth and New Mexico.  The materials include: slate, marble, glazed ceramic, glass, travertine, porcelain, metal, stones, and stained glass.

This is the last two side-by-side so you can see how the design will all connect with a gap between them when hung on the wall.  This grouping was inspired by the natural colors used in the rest of the space and the idea of sediments of earth layered on top of one another.

The detail shots:

The next step is grouting.

[But before-hand we seal all of the natural stone first]

We mix the grout with water and spread over the tile with our hands (wearing gloves).  Because our surfaces are so uneven using different kinds of tile- our hands are easiest to spread grout than a rubber trowel.  After it dries a bit, we use sponges with water to smooth out the grout joints.

Then you let it dry and use a rag to buff off the haze left from the grout, and clean up the tile.  

The grouted detail shots:

The three panels are done!  Now, on to the landscape mosaic...