Mosaic Frames

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04/22/2019 UPDATE

The framed mosaic with stand I made from live-edge sweetgum and walnut. Hopefully more detailed images will be available.

04/19/2019

Kory Dollar of Marvelous Mosaic created this work of fine art, a glass-on-glass mosaic of a Loon, a very detailed and superbly executed piece that really has to be seen in person with the sun shining through its many colors and contrasts. It is a 36″ X 15″ piece that was created in her studio and brought to me for a frame.

About the frame, it is made of four different types of wood, all of which have come from old pallets, lath or wood left behind by people who moved away, so it is all upcycled in some way. The base light colored wood is made of Sweetgum, and was originally part of a huge shipping frame and in very rough shape. The corner squares are made from walnut blocks that were cast aside from a cabinet shop and considered refuse. I sliced them into thin 1/8″ wafers to add an accent. The border is made of Philippine mahogany, salvaged from old pallets. Behind it all is rough-sawn 7/8″ white oak left behind an old wood shop where I cut it so shape a solid frame for securing this piece. The mosaic weighs a lot and a hard wood was required to anchor “eye” bolts so it can be hung. Finishing was, after copious amounts of sanding, two coats of sanding sealer, three coats of oil finish and three coats of hand-rubbed paste wax.

Corner detail

03/10/19

Daughter-in-law Lisa Rockdaschel made a mosaic on an unusual substrate – an ovular plate that is similar to the type that sits in most microwave ovens. It has the usual raised lip with tapered sides making it very difficult to fit into a wood frame. I finally decided to make two halves of a frame and ‘sandwich’ the mosaic in between. The oval shape gave me quite a mental exercise, but in the end, I think it came out rather well. I am awaiting pictures from Lisa after she has hung it from one of the fifty windows they have in their big and beautiful house. More images to come!

03/07/2019

Easel for Cathy Simmons mosaic.

In February, I framed a mosaic she had recently created, and it is an incredibly stunning work of art! She did not want to put eye-bolts into the wood and asked me to make her an easel. I knew at that point exactly what it needed, a ‘live edge’ mantle and not some block of wood. This edge is so alive that it still has preserved moss! I removed the bark, planed out the cup and warp, sanded smooth and applied an oil finish. I upcycled an old pallet that was made of Philippine mahogany (same as her frame) and planed and made smooth, all of it came together beautifully. Her mosaic is so wonderful that it had to be displayed on something worthy of her artwork.

Here they are as a happy couple. Cathy says she is working on the lighting, but loves the easel.

02/24/2019

Frame for Bill Stauffer over antique stained glass panel salvaged from a Portland building being demolished in the 80’s. Made from salvaged Philippine mahogany and sweet-gum for the trim. Stria (grooves) cut with a shaping tool.

Stauffer stained glass

Stauffer stained glass

Stauffer stained glass

Stauffer stained glass

01/29/2019

This frame is made of Philippine mahogany salvaged from an old pallet for Cathy Simmons. Her “Lama” mosaic measuring  16-5/16″ X 20-5/8″ X 2’1/4″ was already completed and the frame had to be created around it

Lama by Cathy Simmons

Mortise and tenon detail

Reverse side is attractive as well

Lama by Cathy Simmons

09/21/2018

HUGE mosaic frame – 34″ X 34″ for Nancy Shue. A mere 2″ wide frame using true 1″ clear vertical grain fir with mortise and tenon joints. This is elegant!

To those new to this site, you may not know that much of what I do in the studio is making substrate frames, basically wood that surrounds a glass panel which will be covered with stained glass, among other things, glued to its surface. This is called GOG (glass on glass) mosaic and the frame holds the mosaic, either hanging or on a stand.

Below are some examples of styles, many are new and will expand as more are created. Most of these designs are copyrighted and dang hard to make besides!

Below: Frames made of mahogany, poplar and pine. Jeanne Hall asked me to make another frame for an existing mosaic plus for three new substrates to be made into mosaic art.

Live Edge Walnut for Astoria artist, hanging in Creations studio, Astoria, Oregon.

06/30/2019

Below: Cat in Walnut Frame by Jeannie Hall. Jeannie actually did it backwards, she made the mosaic first and found she couldn’t find anyone to make a frame – and not charge an obscene amount, so it sat for two years. She WAS going to give it away as a gift, until she found me. She gave me full artistic license and after I sat and contemplated the lovely work for a while whilst comparing different type wood, I put some contrasting walnut next to it and, well… she decided to keep it for herself. She is a happy girl!

04/20/2018

Below: I make a lot of frames for Kory dollar at www.marvelousmosaic.com and we are always coming up with innovations. She  travels around the country teaching others her specific art form, but this requires light-weight items to pack. The below frames are made from somebody’s discarded Ikea something-or-other that was just lying in the dirt. I upcycled the wood into these super-sturdy 1/2″- thick pine frames that are perfect for the class and her travels. Love you Kory!

02/22/2018

Below: This mosaic was just made by Phyllis Sidel and occupies a modern frame made for classes by Kory Dollar. This was created at the Lavender Farm mosaic class in early April. These frames are becoming popular. Write Kory Dollar or me for one of your own, many types of wood available.

If you have an idea for a frame or are a mosaic artist, be sure to talk to me or you will have to answer to my kitty-in-the-box!

Miscellaneous Frames

These are frames worthy of note with each being a one-of-a-kind project.

Kevin Rhea Birdseye Maple

Kevin Rhea Birdseye Maple