Large Scale Panels
“ESPALIERS” This is a series of panels inspired by a visit to Oak Spring, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon
In addition to several individual espalier panels, I designed a horizontal espalier border, inspired by the use of the cordons at Oak Spring. Each tile to the left and right of the center has a corresponding terminal tile allowing dimensional flexibility from 40″ to 120″ without customization.
The VILLA d”ESTE ARCHED NICHE is a large scaled frame which allows for the customization of the arch infill. The overall unbordered panel of 35″ by 60″ is composed of (14) 10″ by 15″ modules executed in decal fired on porcelain tile units or in porcelain fired to steel
The arch and the two 10″ by 15″ modules beneath it compose the area that is completely customizable. This allows the availability of a monumental panel at a reduced design and production time. Shown is a sample infill drawing of St. Francis and the wolf of Gubbio which is offered in a different format as an independent panel.
VENETIAN PALAZZO SERIES
I designed this very large scaled panel as an alternative to the conventional pictorial murals readily available. I believed the visual interest of the imagery of the architectural details of an imaginary Venetian palazzo would be appropriate in both traditional and contemporary settings.
VENETIAN NASTURTIUMS
This panel was developed as a frontispiece for an outdoor chimney- thus, the verticality. The main image was inspired by the trailing nasturtiums adorning the courtyard of the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum in Boston. Comprised of 4 10″ by 10″ tiles, the design is printed in a brown decal that is fired to a cream glazed porcelain body. The entirety is hand painted using China paints (finely ground pigments which are mixed with a “closed medium”-(an oil which eventually dries completely) and then fired again for complete vitrification. These are not to be confused with surface enamels or similar unfired paints.
The four tiles can be bordered on both sides by a finishing 5″ width tile or could be incorporated in a completely customized installation.
AESTHETIC ETAGERE
I am developing this panel to combine the use of decals exhibiting Aesthetic Movement motifs with sculptural elements.
One of the characteristics of the Aesthetic movement was “juxtapositions.” Bordered shapes filled with intricate pattern are integrated into an overall field of patterns, These in turn are placed in conjunction with naturalistically rendered botanical subjects.
The concept is to depict an Aesthetic Movement inspired etagere which is itself displaying Aesthetic scenes and patterns as well as items of pottery and plates. This allows for the incorporation of bas relief tiles of pottery shapes into the panel of decal decorated tiles as well as the designs for plates. The rough sketch was executed at 3/32″ equals 1 inch and based on a 10″ by 15″ grid framing pattern which reflects maximizing the efficiency of the decal production window’s dimensions.
The concept was very loosely sketched but somewhat to the scaled grid. This rough sketch was then used as a guideline for further studies. When a reasonable plan was decided upon, development at an eighth and then quarter inch scale was conducted. At each step, refinements of ideas are noted and dimensions determined. Details present themselves for further development and reminders of past works offer possibilities of either inclusion or inspiration for alternatives. For example, I had once designed four plates that featured the main characters of “The Mikado”. These plates could now be featured as “displayed” items on the upper shelves of the etagere.
