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A Types – 24 x 36 Mosaic

A Types – #Mosaic made with #recycled candy and drink labels

A Types – 24″ x 36″ x 2″ gallery-wrap mosaic on masonite

In 2011, I was invited to an exhibit here in Fort Worth, Texas and I came across an idea of bulls locking horns. This mosaic is a direct reflection of folks who are set in their ways. These individuals will dig in their heels and stand their ground over ideas and ethics which have little or no impact on others. I think it’s more of a tolerance issue. Regardless, it’s something I see in all aspects of life as they are needed for reasons I couldn’t step into and make things work. But again, it’s a different mindset I’ll never understand.

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Shelter – 24 x 36 Mosaic

Shelter – #mosaic made with #recycled candy and drink labels

About the Mosaic

24″ x 36″ x 2″ gallery-wrap on masonite, this mosaic was made for an exhibit in July 2011, here in Fort Worth. The two horses I found on Flickr and with permission, I transformed the image using nothing but warm colored candy wrappers. I’ll be the first to say it’s not my favorite, but it’s something I needed to work through to learn a few techniques on color selection, the cut and patterns I used during the process. As as good friend of mine was photographing the finished piece, it was a challenge to get the exposure right because of the brightness of the colors. Most of the labels used were Tootsie Pop Wrappers. Quick note to make, I ended up ironing the wrappers to take out some of the wax.

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The Spanish Steps – 18 x 24 Mosaic

The Spanish Steps – #mosaic made with #recycled candy and drink labels

About the Mosaic

18″ x 24″ on canvas, this was a fast build as it was for a Valentine’s Day present, a commission from a client who gave me six days to create the mosaic. I think I got about 12 hours total in sleep over that week. I’ve never been to Italy, but after make the Spanish Steps in candy wrappers, one day I’ll go. I used a good amount of Snapple Raspberry and Peach Iced Tea labels in the buildings. Everything else played off those colors. As it exhausted me, I did like working with architecture. I’m thinking about recreating some of the buildings here in Fort Worth, like the courthouse.

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Ollie – 16 x 20 Mosaic

Ollie, a #brindle #bostonterrier #mosaic made with #recycled candy and drink labels

About the Mosaic

16″ x 20″ x .5″ on foamcore board, this mosaic was made in December of 2010. This is Ollie, my 2nd cousin’s brindle Boston Terrier. He is a great dog, but I had a tough time getting him to sit still for a picture. So, we got the treats out and this is the end result. Getting the brindle markings was a good challenge. I used Trident orange gum wrappers over the the layered brown labels. The gum wrappers are translucent and with the glue, I was able to either press down the gum wrappers or lightly drape over the brown labels to create some quick transitions. So it seems this is a popular dog, as I was asked about creating a mosaic of another pet.

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Can’t Help But Smile #2 – 16 x 20 Mosaic

Can't Help But Smile #2 – #mosaic made with #recycled candy and drink labels

About the Mosaic

16″ x 20″ x .5″ on foamcore board, this mosaic is one of two created from a photo of a former mayor’s niece. As I don’t recreate from another mosaic, I like this one better the 2nd time around. Her skin tones are a mix of Sweet n Low packets and old Fruit Punch and Kiwi Straberry Snapple labels from the 90s. I don’t make many mosaics of people, but children are an exception given the candy wrappers involved.

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Candy Painted Horses – 24 x 36 Mosaic

Candy Painted Horses – #mosaic made with #recycled candy and drink labels

About the Mosaic

24″ x 36″ on masonite, this mosaic was commissioned right after I finished up the hummingbird. I was given a few horse pictures and asked to combine a couple, then add as many vibrant colors as I possibly could. Upon finishing and emptied out several old expired wrappers in the process. It was with this one I started mixing up the labels and cutting in strips to extend the colors like brush strokes, which in turn added more texture. Labels used in the red background is Cherry Tootsie Pops and Starburst wrappers.

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DeKoi Roy – 18 x 24 Mosaic

DeKoi Roy – #koi #fish #mosaic made with #recycled candy and drink labels

About this Mosaic

18″ x 24″ x .5″ on foamcore board, this mosaic was made for an art auction, benefiting the local Tarrant County AIDS Outreach Center. The auction was my first art showing in 12 years. As nervous as I was, I met some great people I still speak with today. The koi fish is something I remember feeding in a pond as a kid. I’m not sure where I was, probably the Fort Worth Zoo or the Botanical Gardens down the street. The labels in the background were layered with translucent black and blue gum wrappers to mimic blue water. Labels used are Stride gum, orange Tootsie Roll wrappers and white sugar packets. Also used are saltwater taffy wrappers, layered over the top in the gills.

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Suspended – 24x 36 Mosaic

Suspended – #hummingbird #mosaic made with #recycled candy and drink labels

About the Mosaic

24″ x 36″ x 2″ gallery-wrap canvas, this is my first mosaic I’ve made in several years. I lost track of why I liked the idea and technique until someone saw some pictures of what I did during my years in college. That prompt this hummingbird. So since then, I’ve had a wild ride of commissions, exhibits, giclee prints, new contacts and friends. It’s hard to explain, but I wouldn’t want it any different. The process since this piece has changed. I no longer have several labels and wrappers used in the art and my method of cutting the labels is different. This was sold within a couple weeks and opened the door for opportunities I never thought could happen. I’m thankful it caught the attention of a broker in downtown Fort Worth. Imagine if I passed on the invitation to resubmit new work.

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Sweet Red Eyes – 16 x 20 Mosaic

Sweet Red Eyes – #treefrog #mosaic made with #recycled candyand drink labels

About the Mosaic

16″ x 20″ x .5″ on foamcore board, this mosaic of a poison tree frog was a idea I had to use my vibrant colored labels and wrappers. I especially used pomegranate Tootsie Pop wrappers in the eyes. That red is not as deep as the cherry wrapper, more of a red/orange mix. With this piece I continued to cut the labels and wrappers like I was painting the piece with brushstrokes. This sold within a week’s time. I’ll probably take my kids down the the zoo and take a few more shots of a frog like this for another frog mosaic sometime soon.

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Can’t Help But Smile #1 – 16 x 20 Mosaic

Can't Help But Smile #1 – #mosaic made with #recycled candy and drink labels

About the Mosaic

16″ x 20″ x .5″ on foamcore board, this mosaic is of a young girl who’s uncle is the former mayor here in Fort Worth. When I was talking to the lady who sold my hummingbird, she showed me this picture and I had to re-create it into a mosaic. It turned out good, and I ended up making a second one for, I believe an auction for the Fort Worth Zoo. I’m not sure, but it was fun to make and the recipient loved the art.

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