NEW COMMISSION FOR CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW MOSAIC TRAIL COMMISSION FOR CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITIES OF THREE TOWNS IN BEDFORDSHIRE; SANDY, POTTON AND BIGGLESWADE AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH "STORY IN STONE" (www.storyinstone.org.uk) WE NOW HAVE DESIGNS READY TO START WORK ON THE NINE MOSAIC THEMES.

The designs for the Story In Stone Three Town Mosaic Trail were rolled out to the public yesterday evening (Nov.30th) at Robert Peel Lower School in Sandy.  These received an extremely positive reception.

The designs are the result of much consultation and fact-finding with all three towns and are a culmination of ideas and input from Historical Societies, the public, schools and town councils.

The mosaics will be made partly in community workshops and local schools and partly in the Budd Mosaic studio.  The elements will be brought together and installed in the different towns from early summer 2017 to March 2018.

The designs have been based around some topics that are well known within the communities but also some lesser-known facts and historical stories that may stimulate interest and further research.

The mosaics will be colourful, educative and local landmarks.   Designs below:

  

LATEST BUDD WORKS

JUST ABOUT TO LEAVE THE STUDIO

This long hot summer has seen a number of works reach the finishing stage.  Firstly our commission for Yapton is ready for installation, here's a photo of all 13 sections laid out in the yard, the last section broke my finger on the bench as I was turning it out the mould, still better a broken digit than a damaged piece of work!

SEASALT - BURY ST. EDMUNDS

A night-time installation of the the latest Seasalt doorstep mosaic for Bury St Edmunds earlier this month (photo: Polly Hole - Seasalt) Currently there are three more being made in the studio for the South and North of England.

St. JOHN'S MEADS SCHOOL - EASTBOURNE

The children of St. John's Meads primary school have been busy with this excellent mosaic for their school playground.  It reflects the school's environs, its C of E status and the children themselves.  The work measures 2.5 X 1.5m

HAYWARDS HEATH - TWINNING PANEL

Soon to be installed at Haywards Heath railway station this twinning panel celebrates the towns close links with Traunstein in Germany and Bondues in France.

INTER-SCHOOLS MOSAIC PANEL - HAYWARDS HEATH

Following a really full-on day at Oathall Community College; many thanks to them as hosts, especially Mrs J. Smith-Hashim and her pupils who helped me with the six other local schools who all contributed to making this panel in just one day!

The cast plaques at the base of the work denote each school that took part.

YAPTON MOSAIC - CASTING TECHNIQUE

AS THE FINAL SECTION COMES OFF THE BENCH I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE INTERESTING TO SHOW THE CASTING TECHNIQUE.

First photo shows the completed panel on the bench, in reverse.  It was made by following a reversed drawing on polythene and attaching the mosaic with Spraymount.  Then, using bendy MDF, 50mm walls are made around the mosaic to contain the concrete backing.  The walls are held in place with wooden noggins screwed onto the bench and the inner walls are lined with waterproof tape.

First the "goo", a mix of neat Portland cement between all the joints and across the back of the tesserae.  Then a layer of the concrete mix (sharp sand, fine aggregate and cement) then a fibre membrane levelled-off with more cement.  Covered for three days, then taken out of the mould, flipped over and cleaned.  All ready to go!

YAPTON MOSAIC NEARS COMPLETION

OLIVER WORKING ON THE FINAL PANELS OF THE YAPTON MOSAIC

FORD AIRFIELD PANEL ON THE BENCH (IN REVERSE)

WORKING IN REVERSE WITH PORCELAIN TILES IS INTERESTING AS YOU CANNOT SEE THE COLOUR OF THE FACE OF THE TILE ONCE YOU'VE SET IT DOWN! 

NAVIGATORS PANEL COMPLETED

FORD AIRFIELD WW1 AVIATOR PANEL COMPLETED 

"1920/30s "FLAPPER" PANEL ON BENCH (IN REVERSE) READY FOR CASTING

BUDD NEWS

A QUICK LOOK AT SOME OF MY LATEST PROJECTS

MOSAICS FOR STONEWATER HOUSING PROJECTS IN UCKFIELD AND MAYFIELD ARE ALL NOW COMPLETED AND INSTALLED ALONG WITH SOME LOVELY PLAQUES SET ONTO THE OAK SUPPORT FRAMES THAT EXPLAIN THE WORK, THE LOCALITY AND ITS ORIGINS. 

A NEW DOORSTEP PANEL FOR THE LATEST SEASALT SHOP IN CANTERBURY

MOOR HOUSE SCHOOL AND COLLEGE MOSAIC

MOOR HOUSE SCHOOL AND COLLEGE IN HURST GREEN, SURREY, HAVE JUST COMPLETED A MOSQUE MOSAIC

Everybody in the school was involved in the panel that now graces the reception area.  

The work evolved from the students designs based on Islamic art being applied to an image of a mosque.

The design was then enlarged to fit a 1.5m X 1m panel and the mosaic was created in just two days.

Below:  the completed panel being installed by the schools fabulous maintenance team.

Below:  Oliver with teachers of the Art Department who organised and assisted with the project

MOSAICS FOR STONEWATER HOUSING

COMPLETED PANELS FOR UCKFIELD AND MAYFIELD

ALL THE PANELS FOR NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN UCKFIELD AND MAYFIELD HAVE NOW BEEN COMPLETED AND INSTALLATIONS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN IN EARLY FEBRUARY.

PANEL FOR WOODLAND PLACE - MAYFIELD

PANEL FOR CAMPBELL CLOSE - UCKFIELD

CENTRAL COMPASS FOR YAPTON MOSAIC

DESIGN FOR YAPTON "NAVIGATION MOSAIC"

THE YAPTON MOSAIC HAS BEEN GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD, THIS WORK CELEBRATES THE LIFE AND WORK ON THE OLD CANAL AND FORD AIRFIELD BASED IN YAPTON NEAR CHICHESTER, WEST SUSSEX.  IT WILL BE AN EXTERNALLY SITED GROUND LEVEL MOSAIC CAST IN 13 SECTIONS.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THE PROGRESS OF ITS CONSTRUCTION ON THIS BLOG PAGE OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.