Art and Artists in the Garden 3: Rosemary Rizzo
And that's when Rosemary stopped thinking small.
Check out those steps. You'll have to turn around, because we've been walking away from them and toward the water. But turn around anyway. Each step is a different essay in mosaic. Many, but not all of them depict little flamingos as well.
Using old china that she has been collecting for what seems like forever she has managed to create flamingo portraits from snippets of china. In a few instances she has also managed to salvage a flamingo-shaped portrait of the bird from the plate on which it had been painted. This takes a Diamond Laser 3000 Band Saw DL3000 wet saw. Wet saws like this are what begin to separate the amateurs from the pros, as it allows very fine, detailed cuts
She uses a technique known as Piqué Assiette . The term translates out literally to mean "plate stealer" - and as Rosemary says, one of the most difficult parts f the technique is finding the right kinds of china to execute the design she has in mind. You probably don't find too many plates with flamingos on them.
The artist has to first break the plate in such a manner that it produces usable shards. While some new to the craft may be content to simply reassemble the pieces into a grouted version of its former incarnation, others assemble pieces into incredibly intricate works of art, skillfully choosing color and patters that work together. It's a labor-intensive process - so much so that a small tray can sell for over $100 in a gift shop.
That's one reason they say to start small. But Rosemary moved from small to medium - the steps and then started casting her eye about for a new challenge. And she found it. She decided to mosaic the house!
Well - not the WHOLE house. But where on an indoor wall you might place a chair rail, Rosemary created an exterior version that runs the entire length of their screened in back porch. I haven't been able to spot any flamingos in it - but she assures me that there are a couple of flamingo beads tucked here and there. The tile-work looks great where she has it placed - and it certainly does make their house a one of a kind item.
Asked if she was done,
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