SHSU The Woodlands Center OPEN!

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Yesterday, Kate and I attended the opening reception for Sam Houston State University The Woodlands Center.  The beautiful new academic building is home to my most recent mosaic project, Reflections to Mist, and state of the art facilities for 4 year and graduate studies.  WHR and Vaughn Construction did an amazing job. It's so nice to see the building clean and complete.

Now open to the public, visitors can ascend the stairs to view the entirety of Reflections to Mist, the 4 story mural we installed in February.  Kate got some great pictures of onlookers and the mural.

Professional shots will be on the SHSU page of my website soon!













SHSU Completed!

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The scaffolding is gone and the mural is able to breathe in the space.  And it looks great! For now these photos will have to do.  I'll send in a professional to take photos in May when construction is complete.

It was such a pleasure to work with Mosaika again!  To everyone at Mosaika, WHR Architects, Sam Houston State University and Vaughn Construction THANK YOU for making this job possible.








SHSU Days 18, 19, 20 & 21- Finished from top to bottom!

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The mural is completely grouted and looking amazing!! I'll post more pictures once the scaffolding is removed.  Thanks to everyone on the team, from Mosaika, WHR and Vaugh Construction for a job well done.
Mike making the final finishing touch!










Emily and the final buff.




Looking up from the first landing.








Looking up from the bottom floor.





SHSU 15, 16, 17

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We had a big few days on the installation.  Most notably we installed the last panel (#144) and had a crew filming it!  Victoria Lightman of Looking At Art and Cressandra Thibodeaux of 14 Pews are working on a TV pilot for a show about Texas collectors and artists.  They came to the job site to do an interview and catch the final panel installation.  Good timing!

Good morning Mr. Frog.

Getting ready to install the remaining panels.


We have guests today!


All that remains to install.




The lovely Victoria Lightman. Nice hat!!

The lovely Cressandra Thibodeaux.

Prepping the wall for the final piece.

Emily speed skating to get the panel.

Bringing over the panel.

In she goes!



The whole team.

All 144 pieces on the wall!


And now cleaning to grout.

Lots of grouting.


Love this shot! Amazing light on the third floor.

The mural blends perfectly with the trees outside.

Kate's amazing detached leg trick.



And now buffing.


Looking good!

SHSU Days 12, 13, 14

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Another day, another panel goes on the wall.


We made it to the 90s


Today we got additional scaffolding so we can now reach every inch of the 40ft wall.
AND the guys from Big City Access came during lunch break! Perfect timing.

Dancing around the crates

1-2-3, 1-2-3

I think it's a waltz.

Emily happily nipping tile.

The view from the third floor.



Mike measuring to cut... Emily is holding his legs off screen.

Clipping in on the top level of scaffolding.

Teamwork.

We got a visit from Dr. Mitchell Muehsam and Denise Nue!  Denise is the director of facilities and construction and Mitch is the dean of the college of business administration at SHSU.  They were both very excited about the mosaic.


SHSU Days 9, 10, 11

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Cleaning for repairs...


...mending...

What seam?

More panels ready to go on the wall




Pausing for a perfect photo op.

Working in tight spaces.

Marie, the architect from WHR, came by to check out the progress.
She was impressed and we are all really pleased.
Thanks for stopping by Marie!
Living life on the edge.


How low can she go?


While troweling, Mike grew two more arms.

The view from the second story platform.



Moving up, one step (stool) at a time.

SHSU 6, 7, 8

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Here are days 6, 7, 8 but they are all starting to run together.  We made it to the outside wall and started grouting inside.   Check out the detail shots from the bottom section of the wall that is now finished except for the final cleaning and buffing.  It's really looking fantastic!


Got to get grout in every crack.

Grouting...

Sponging...

Emily working hard inside and Mike preparing to hop into the mural outside. 

And finally buffing!

So pretty after grouting








Q, last piece outside!



All up and the integration of the outside and inside looks amazing!
Before

After




Love this flower!!!

Sam Houston State University- INSTALL!

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First day of the installation for Sam Houston State University in the Woodlands.  It's a pleasure to work with Mosaika again.  We are reaching great heights on this one.  Check out their pictures here.  


Mike, always welcome as one of the girls.

Saskia, can I buy a vow_l? 


First piece!

Emily's magic disappearing pants



Wilson?! From Home Improvement?!


Looking up the wall

Emily fishing...

Kate's voguing 


The end of a good day.

Sam Houston Progress

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I'm in Montreal Canada this week working with Mosaika on the finishing touches to the 3 story mosaic for Sam Houston State University satellite campus in the Woodlands, TX.  I'm working to place the handmade tiles Kate and I made in the studio this summer.  The tiles are a variety of shapes and textures  from frogs, spiders and lily pads to microscopic pollen, seeds and pond life. We are also recycling left over tiles made for Strata which was completed in 2009!  I'm placing all the textural handmade tiles at hand and eye level so they can be viewed and accessed easily as people move up and down the staircase.

The whole mosaic is looking great and I'm excited to see it installed.  The installation date is set for January 2012.

Special thanks to the whole Mosaika team! It would not look as good without your hard work and goods eyes.  To see the team in action check out their studio blog.  To see the original painting and a rendering of the mosaic click here.

placing handmade tiles

recycled Strata tiles