Public Mosaics > Life Is A Garden mural St John Armenian Apostolic Church, SF

This is a mural created by me and the participants at St John Church in San Francisco. They are an Armenian community so I was pleased to be able to use the beautiful and life-affirming imagery of Armenia - grapes, pomegranates, a peacock, etc. I led 3 workshops in which the participants created the grape cluster, leaves, pomegranates and birds on mesh. Then I adhered those pieces to Wediboard. I also mosaicked the rest of the pieces - the tree trunks, peacock, cross.

Final image: Life Is A Garden, May 2016, Outdoor mural at St John Church, SF. 18ft x 12ft. Glass, tile, found objects.

Final image: Life Is A Garden, May 2016, Outdoor mural at St John Church, SF. 18ft x 12ft. Glass, tile, found objects.

mosaic

18ft x 12ft

2016

Workshops were held for people of all ages to make the grapes, leaves, pomegranates and birds, according to their skill levels.

Workshops were held for people of all ages to make the grapes, leaves, pomegranates and birds, according to their skill levels.

2016

The piles of final mosaics on mesh created in the workshops and then prepared to be adhered to Wediboard in my studio.

The piles of final mosaics on mesh created in the workshops and then prepared to be adhered to Wediboard in my studio.

2016

The first day of installation is the most important because I can create the habits and timing for the whole project. First step is to get the paper design traced onto the wall.

The first day of installation is the most important because I can create the habits and timing for the whole project. First step is to get the paper design traced onto the wall.

2016

I was happy to get the tree trunks adhered because they were the largest and heaviest pieces to go up. As they cured, I kept on tracing the next sections of the design onto the wall.

I was happy to get the tree trunks adhered because they were the largest and heaviest pieces to go up. As they cured, I kept on tracing the next sections of the design onto the wall.

2016

Day after day, each section went up as planned.

Day after day, each section went up as planned.

2016

2016

This was my set up: bucket of Thinset (tinted black), water bucket, and the pieces for that day laid out in order.

This was my set up: bucket of Thinset (tinted black), water bucket, and the pieces for that day laid out in order.

2016

This is me, buttering the backs!

This is me, buttering the backs!

2016

Some close-ups of the art

Some close-ups of the art

2016

The poms and my name tile

The poms and my name tile

2016

2016

2016

2016

The 6 ft long peacock

The 6 ft long peacock

2016

The Bible quote

The Bible quote

2016

Some of the participants in front of their new mural

Some of the participants in front of their new mural

2016