Noah's Ark Installation Started

Yesterday saw the beginning of the installation of the Noah's Ark Mural. Everything went very smoothly and it is looking amazing. Some of the animals glowed with the sun coming through the glass. The adhesive worked well and is still visiable until it is fully cured. Two of our regular long time students came to help out. We had a great time and enjoyed answering all the questions that visitors asked.

There were a few wonderful surprises as we installed the peices. When the ark was up with the sun shining through it, the colors cast onto the wall next to the window. The ark looked complete and there appeared to now be 4 parrots on top. We all stopped everything and just stared in amazement.

The dove in the center panel glowed in a way that sent chills. I had hoped for an effect like that but didn't imagine it to came off as wonderfully as it did.

Hopefully friday the installation will be finished. I have mixed feelings about that. On one hand I can't wait to see it all up there complete, but on the other, I will miss working on it. We have all come to look forward to seeing the next peice come out of the kiln. These animals have become dear friends and although they will have a wonderful home, we will miss them.

To Feather or Not To Feather

The Noah's Ark project is coming along. Right now the peacock is on the work bench and the morning has been spent debating on just how much detail we want to do on it. The peacock will be the anchor piece for the right hand corner of the mural. I have been know to take it over the top from time to time but I do believe that the detail is called for in the tail. The head, neck and body have a layer of dicro as does the center of the eyes in the tail. It is a peacock after all and being over the top is what they are all about. So fine stringers are being broken and applied to give the impression of feathering. I Win! Show off that tail!

Kids and Butterflies

Last Tuesday we went to the Synagogue and had the children from the Hebrew school help create the butterflies for the Noah's Ark mural. Over 100 children showed up and working in pairs they glued brightly colored glass triangles onto the wings of the butterflies. Only 18 butterflies will be in the mural so the remainder will be given to the school to be displayed in the class rooms.

I enjoyed working with the children and answering all their questions about the project. I was surprised by the depth of their questions. What kind of glass, how do you fuse the glass together, is it like working and firing clay in a kiln, when will it be done and installed? Bright kids! Of course there were the requested to help with the animals that I had to turn down. I love the fact that they were so excited about the mural and they are now a part of it. Hopefully the project will have more meaning to them as they pass it on their way over time and remember the day they helped.