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Dec 04, 2017
How long did it take to make that?
This is a question I’m often asked when I’m displaying my work at a gallery or art fair. In my head, I’m wondering how to answer:
These two new faux Roman mosaic pieces had quite an adventure in being created.
“Pompeiano Polypus I” and “Pompeiano Polypus II” faux mosaics based on Roman designs found an Herculaneum (Pompeii’s sister city).
I’ve been associated with a local art gallery for many years. In 2013 they opened a second location and wanted it to be ocean themed. At the time, I wanted to add more pieces to my Roman mosaic collection, so I set about researching images.
Photo of the inspiration mosaic octopus at a bathhouse |
I went through different designs, originally focusing on clams . . . then I decided, ya know, clams just aren’t that interesting.
I came across a photo of a mosaic floor at the Forum bathhouse in Herculaneum with an octopus. The poor fella looks lost down there in the left corner.
I used him as the focal for my design but change the position of some arms to fit my panels.
The wave border in my pieces is a common Roman theme, so I included that as a dynamic element. Instead of black and white, I chose blue for the octopuses (because blue octopuses are cool) and the color suggests water. The background tiles I painted sand colors.
I also used a new tool to create these pieces. To create faux mosaics, I lay down plaster and then carve the pattern into it. My first two pieces I carved by hand – this takes a long time and is hard on the hands. The octopuses are also much smaller, so I opted to use a dermal.
I hand paint each “tile,” varying the colors of each as authentic Roman mosaics do. I then chipped out a few tiles and dirtied the surface with a glaze to antique it. The lower portions of my panels are covered in gypsum plaster to give the impression of hardened volcanic ash from Mt. Vesuvius.
Art in progress. “Pompeiano Polypus I” at the top is |
I created “Pompeiano Polypus I” (the left piece) in an organic style, letting the shape of the “tiles” follow the shape of the images. I completed the first panel somewhere in 2016. But I had always planned on making this a diptych.
I started the second panel shortly after. I flipped the design so the two would be mirror images. I created “Pompeiano Polypus II” using a grid and ruler guide. I finished this piece in October 2017.
But I still needed a name. Names either come to me quickly, or I have to let them sit for a while. In this case, they sat in my subconscious for years and I hadn’t come up with anything better than “Pompeii Octopus.” I recently posted pictures on a FaceBook archaeology forum and asked for suggestions. One member suggested translating the title into Latin. So “Pompeii Octopus” became “Pompeiano Polypus” – because it’s more mysterious and exotic that way. Right?
Why did these two pieces take so long? Many other projects came up in my decorative art business, where I create finishes in people’s homes. One or two other fine art projects popped up that took precedent, and on and on.
I’m glad to finally have these two pieces finished and available for the holiday season. And the gallery with the ocean theme? Ironically, they don’t have a theme any more.
So how long did it take from research to completion? About 3 ½ years.
Or, Herculaneum came under Roman control in 89 BC. If that’s used as a rough estimation as to when the bathhouse was built, from then to my pieces is an amusing 2,106 years!
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