Diane's Art Stuff

Reef Tile Mural

2012-01-29T12:48:00.000-05:00

During the last 2 months, I have been working on a new mural. It has been finished and installed. The size of it is 7 ft. wide and 5 ft. high. The clients were thrilled.

Reef Mural

Reef Tile Mural

If anyone wants a larger picture, please contact me and I will email

some close ups.

Marshall Bridge Beautification Project, Ft. Lauderdale

2012-01-19T21:15:00.001-05:00

The bridge project is finally complete. It looks great if I do say so myself.
Check out the YouTube video that my husband Ross produced.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZPb9vE7MGU

He was nice enough to put it together complete with his own original music. I can't say enough nice things about the people Kevin and I worked with on this project. I also hope to be working on another project soon. Thanks to all.

Marshal Bridge Murals from marina.

Sailboat mural in tile complete.

2011-10-28T10:06:00.000-04:00

Here is a picture of the final tile mural. The Sailboat. it is 10' X 7'. Enjoy.

2011-10-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

The final mural is complete. We finished the setting and grouting on 10-27-11. Believe it or not we are 4 days ahead of skedule. What a great project!!
Now we wait till the bridge gets painted. The painting is underway. it will be a bluish grey. The murals should really stand out.
The tenative date for the installation is the first week in December. I will be there watching.

Tarpon Tile Mural

2011-10-13T18:14:00.000-04:00

Here is the final photo of the Tarpon Tile Mural for the bridge project. We finished it today Thursday 13th of October. Just one more left to set and grout. Enjoy. Diane.

Seminole Indian Mural Ft. Lauderdale

2011-10-09T16:12:00.001-04:00

This week, 10/3 to 10/14, we set and grouted the Seminole Indian tile mural for the Marshal Bridge project. This will be installed sometime in November (we hope). All the murals are coming out great.

Here is Kevin setting some of the tile sections. You can see the Performing Arts mural in the background.

Here I am removing the contact paper that is protecting the tile pieces during setting. Grouting comes next.

Seminol Indian Tile Mural
"New River

Here is the finished tile mural. Please contact me if you would like a larger image. I will be happy to send you one.

Tile Mosaics for Marshal Bridge

2011-09-30T08:15:00.000-04:00

Thursday, 29th of 2011.
Kevin Kichar and I are finally finishing the Performing Arts Mosaic. We spent most of the day grouting and cleaning the mural. It is finished and ready to be installed on the bridge.

This is Diane grouting the mural.

Diane cleaning the mural. Not an easy task but the outcome is spectacular!

Here is a final picture of the Performing Arts Mural. It will be professionally photographed next week. Till then, enjoy. Diane

Marshal Bridge tile art project

2011-09-29T21:29:00.001-04:00

It's been awhile.
Kevin and I have been working on the tile murals for the Marshal Bridge project. We have finished all the tiles for the 4 murals. Yesterday (Wed. 9-28-11) we layed out the tiles for the Preforming Arts mural on the support board. Here is a picture of Kevin laying out a section of tile. Each section has a plastic covering to keep the tiles in place and to protect them.

the next picture is Kevin mudding in the tile sections.

We finished setting the tiles on Wed. now we wait till Thursday 9-29-11 to remove the plastic covering the sections of tiles. Grouting comes next.

Marshal Street Bridge Project final design

2011-09-04T10:35:00.001-04:00

It has finally been done. The last design for the Marshal Street Bridge project has been approved. The design honors the Seminole Indians with images of their folk stories. It also shows a picture of our Florida everglades.

On Friday Sept. 2nd Kevin and I finished the sculpting of tiles for this mural. Next week we glaze and fire them. All in all there will be around 4,000 tiles made for this project. We are currently looking for a donated space to assemble these murals in the Ft. Lauderdale area. If anyone knows of a nice air conditioned space big enough for an 8' X 11' table workspace available for just a few months please contact us. Thanks.

Here I am finishing up the prep work on the slab to sculpt the final 4th mural.

Sail Boat Tile Mural

2011-08-12T07:59:00.000-04:00

The Sail Boat Mural is done. Except for a few tweeks.
Here is Kevin sorting the tiles This is not one of his favorite things.

just one more picture. Here is the Sail Boat mural . It is assembled but the tiles are not spread yet.

While this mural has been fired and is waiting to be stored we have been busy sculpting the next mural. Check back a few pictures in the blog for a painting of the performing arts design.

Marshal Bridge Mural Project

2011-07-28T09:01:00.000-04:00

We have finished glazing and firing the second mural. now comes the exciting stuff. We get to reassemble it and see it for the first time in real tile and not just as a watercolor painting. What a difference.

We also have started to sculpt the 3rd mural. It will be a design to celebrate the preforming arts and River Walk area of Ft. Lauderdale. let me know what you think of the painting. (watercolor)

till next post thank you. Diane.

New tile mural design.

2011-07-04T16:35:00.000-04:00

HI, The painting of the new mural design is finished. I painted it in watercolor on a piece of Masonite.
You say that Masonite won't accept watercolor? well, there is a new product by Daniel Smith. It is an acrylic paint that when cured acts like watercolor canvas. If interested, click on link and search watercolor ground.
Here is the finished design.

Now the work begins. Kevin is pictured here pugging the clay. (We use a special mix of clay that when fired to the correct temperature will lay down flat and will become water proof (like porcelain) .

We pug all the clay that is used because if it isn't mixed completely, it will have white streaks in it after firing. Most of the glazes that we use are transparent so white streaks don't look good.

After the pugs ( clay tootsie rolls) sit for a day, they are rolled into slabs. these will be joined on the table into 1 large slab. this is when we do the cutting and sculpting. More on that another day.

Kevin is transfering the painting into a pattern.

We will continue the project later this week.
See ya
Diane.

Tarpon mural is complete

2011-06-28T08:22:00.000-04:00

After working for 4 weeks on the Tarpon mural for the Marshal Street Bridge Project in Ft. Lauderdale, it occurred to me that I hadn't posted our progress.
I have left you with some pictures of Myself and Kevin Kichar and the finished mural. I will post the progress of the next mural I promise.

Kevin Kichar and Diane Hutchinson with finished Tarpon mural.

Next mural, a sailboat.

New Project

2011-06-03T08:02:00.000-04:00

Artist Kevin Kichar and I have been selected to create 4 mosaic tile murals 10' X 7'. These murals will be installed on a bridge in Ft. Lauderdale later this year. I will start posting pictures of the progress and more information regarding this project soon. Until then, here is a picture of the first mural design in a smaller format.

Till the next post, Take care.

Diane.

2011-05-05T07:58:00.000-04:00

It's been awhile since I've written a post. I hope all is well with you.
I'm not working on any new projects right now. Just helping to make replacements for some broken tiles. It's not an easy task but I will try to help.
I find that if I'm kind and try to say yes to whatever comes my way I always learn something and it is never a waste of time and energy. Whenever someone comes to me with a problem like broken tiles that aren't available anymore and they are panicking because they might have to replace all the tiles, I at least try to help. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can't but at least I try.
Wouldn't it be great if everyone tried a little harder to help?
Take Care.
Diane.

tile turtle table top is done.

2011-04-16T14:58:00.001-04:00

I have glazed and fired the tiles for the turtle table top 3 times. I fired to cone 4 first. (aprox.2025degrees) this matures the tiles. When they came out, they were all shiny. I put a coat of transparent matt glaze over the sand areas and refired to cone 05 (much cooler but still over 1500 degrees). I wasn't happy with the way the matt glaze came out. It was a milky white so I refired the tiles again a little hotter.
That did it. The tiles came out a semi gloss (not matt) but still not a shiny as the tiles with water.
Here are a few pictures of the finished turtle tiles. I can't wait to see it installed.
Heres to a great day.
Diane.

turtle tiles are sculpted

2011-04-10T11:05:00.000-04:00

Great news, I sculpted the turtle tile table top. My client wants the turtle top to be a piece of sculpture so I was instructed to make the turtles stand out. I particularly like the ones that are swimming. I made one with it's head out of the water and the other diving. The next step is to dry the tiles and then glaze them.

If there are any questions on how I lay out the clay slabs or sculpt them please send an email and I will be happy to explain. Have some fun today. Diane.

turtle table top

2011-04-08T08:19:00.000-04:00

04-08-11
Hi, I am working on the turtle table top. The clay has been pugged, slabs have been rolled and the clay has been joined on the work table. I have transferred the pattern to a plastic template with a sharpie pen. As you can see, I can now trace the pattern onto the slab. After this is done, I will sculpt the turtles into the clay. I need to do this quickly as the clay will dry and I will only have a day or so to do all the sculpting.
I'll update tomorrow.

have a great day. Diane.

Snook tiles installed

2011-04-06T19:57:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone, It's been awhile. I have been waiting for some pictures of the installed snook tiles. here are a few. The project came out wonderful.

If you want to see other photos, please contact me and I will forward them.

I have also started a new project. I am making a sculpted table top for a foyer. It is free form and will have turtles crawling and swimming across it. This project will be challenging as the clay shrinks from all sides and I will need to expand the design by 10% to make up for the shrinkage. Here is a picture to show how I layout the design.

Again, thanks for taking the time to check my blog. I will keep you updated on how the projects are coming along. till tomorrow. di.

Still Waiting

2011-03-19T09:18:00.000-04:00

Hi Friends and clients,
I am waiting for some photos of the last 2 projects. I'm really looking forward to seeing the murals and tiles in their permanent home.
While I wait, I am updating my brochure and coming up with some new turtle designs.
Check back soon.
Diane

the marlin mural is done

2011-03-09T21:25:00.000-05:00

I finished the second marlin mural, It was accepted and was sent to the client . all is well. I hope to get some pictures from the snook tile job to post soon. please check back.
It is funny that time seems to expand to fit what you have to do. When there isn't a lot to do, time seems to be in short supply. When there is tons to do, Time seems to exand to allow all necessary projects to be done. This includes time for family and friends.
By for now. Take great care of loved ones.
Diane.

Marlin tile mural is done

2011-02-27T10:57:00.000-05:00

The marlin mural is decorated and fired ( 3X ) It came out great except it is a lot too dark for the customer. I am in the process of making another one. If you would like to own this one please contact me to make arrangements. I will be setting it on wood to hang up.

Let's talk soon, I'll keep you posted on the progress of the second Marlin Mural.

Snook tiles are done

2011-02-16T08:19:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone.
The snook fish tiles are done. I need to cut them to fit the area and then ship. I think I can finish that by Fri.

I also scored the backs of the marlin mural tiles. Now they need to dry under cover of drywall. This is to keep tiles flat as they dry.

Please let me know if I can answer questions. I am available for classes and workshops.

Till next post. Take care, Diane Hutchinson

Snook tiles and Blue Marlin mural

2011-02-13T10:59:00.000-05:00

On Friday, I sculpted the Blue Marlin mural.
I layout the clay in a slab 10% larger than the finished mural. This to allow for the shrinkage of the clay.

I use a ribbon tool to sculpt the design into the wet clay. When it is firm but still soft, I cut it into tiles. The mural will now need to stay under plastic cover for a day to allow the tiles to get dry enough to handle.

Monday I will uncover the mural and let dry. Still a long way to go.

Diane.

firing the snook tiles

2011-02-10T19:55:00.000-05:00

Today is Thursday.
The snook tiles and the background tiles are glazed. They will fire tomorrow and I will get them out on Sat.

In the mean time I have designed a backsplash mural with a blue marlin and ballihoo. I have expanded the design to be 10% larger than the finished mural. This is to allow for the shrinage of the clay. Tomorrow I will draw the pattern and hopefully sculpt the tiles. I will post pictures if I get that far.
If there are any questions please ask. I am happy to explain.
Till tomorrow.
Take care,
Diane.

Snook tile with green color.

2011-02-09T08:15:00.000-05:00

Good day,
I finished the color sample for the snook tiles. The client wanted the snook to have yellowish green fins. I have placed it on the wave tiles with turquoise wave. I think it lookd really good. What do you think?

This is a fun project. I can't wait to see it installed.

New Blue Marlin backsplash comming up soon.

by for now. Diane H.

Marlin painting for client

2011-02-04T19:45:00.001-05:00

Today I painted a design for a client who requested a blue marlin and some ballyhoo for an area above his cook top. This is how I start the tile making process. I make a color sketch to get ideas and to plan what colors to use. This painting is aprox. 16" X 20". I don't usually paint this large but I liked the drawing and thought if it came out will I could frame it. It did I think.

Just checkin in

2011-02-01T17:50:00.000-05:00

Nothing to report regarding the snook tiles. I have a few tiles to send to the client for color approval. I won't get started glazing untill the color choice is made.

I did sell another frog painting on e-bay. check it out .

Take care

Diane Hutchinson

Hutchinsoncreations.com

Snook fish tiles and colors

2011-01-29T14:48:00.000-05:00

Hey, today I'm posting a few pictures. The first picture is of the tiles on which I have sculpted a snook.
This is a part of the bathroom boarder that I am currently working on.

This picture is a snook that has already been fired next to the boarder tile that have not. I am testing colors. If you have a question or comment please leave it. I would be happy to explain my process.
Thanks, till Monday. Take care.
Diane h.

working on tiles for bathroom with snook.

2011-01-27T16:25:00.000-05:00

tiles and tools

this is a picture of the tiles that I sculpted for a bathroom boarder I'm making with wave tiles. some of the tiles will have snook on them.

I'm getting started.

2011-01-27T15:34:00.001-05:00

Hi, I am now posting on my new blog, I know it will take time to get the hang of this but I'm going to try.
I'll be posting current works, and works in progess so my clients , friends and students can watch what I am doing and how I do it. If you have any questions please just ask.

I have a series of frog paintings on e-bay. 7 in all . 2 are already sold. Wish me luck with the rest.