Nottingham in Bloom, "Edible Britain" July 2013

In January 2013, Peter Maxfield, the Sherwood Community Action Officer commissioned me to create a mosaic on behalf of the Sherwood Ward Councillors for Nottingham in Bloom. http://www.nottinghaminbloom.co.uk/

The original idea was sparked from Karen Taylor who owns The Textile Workshop in Sherwood, she wanted something to brighten up the front of her newly opened Cookery School on Mansfield Road. http://www.thetextileworkshop.co.uk/

"Edible Britain" is the Nottingham in Bloom theme for 2013 so what could be a more appropriate location for the mosaic than on the pillars at the entrance of The Cookery School. As I work for Karen teaching Mosaic for Central College in the building itself above The Cookery School, she allowed me to work on the mosaic in the workshop when it was available. 
http://www.centralnottingham.ac.uk/

The mosaic itself took six months to create, working one or two days a week, until the last three weeks when I was flat out working on the street installing the mosaic, some evenings until 9 pm.

I have photographed the progress of this last stage.

18/6/13 

Precariously balanced, cleaning and sanding the pillars.

Mosaic sections had been created by gluing the materials onto flexible mesh allowing it to wrap around the pillars. Here I am laying the mosaic sections on top of the original drawing just to make sure it all fits together!!

All the pieces on top, phew, it does fit!

The first section, the pot of strawberries firmly attached using frost proof adhesive.

Plastering the adhesive on the wall ready for the artichokes.

25/6/13

All stuck on and left to dry overnight I began grouting using dark grey frost proof grout. 

This is after I have washed several times, they are so sore!

3/7/13

After two and a half weeks of sticking, grouting and cleaning I can finally put the finishing touch of sky blue paint on the background. Nottingham in Bloom judges are coming tomorrow! 

                 
             

 Close up's of the pillars, finally completed on the morning of the 4th.