TILES! TILES! TILES!
By Cheryl Stevens
For the past month, Dina and I have been holding a weekly Tile Club to support Members and Students interested in creating a 4x4 or 6x6 tile of their own design to be installed in the new Studio. The tiles will be installed in the water fountain alcove, around the sink between the two bathrooms and hopefully, if we make enough tiles, on the backsplash in the breakroom/kitchen.
When Dina and I conceived of this idea last fall, we originally planned on making and decorating the tiles; but fortunately, Dina was both wise and generous and realized we needed to ensure uniformity, so she purchased approximately 500 4x4 tiles and 1000 6x6 tiles that have already been bisqued. This was an excellent idea and an amazing time saver. As a result, everyone starts with a blank canvas and on that simple square they have used underglaze and underglaze transfers to create amazing masterpieces that will bring color, whimsy and creativity to our new home.
There were only a few instructions given at the beginning of each Club before the Surface Decorators were let loose to showcase their inner Picaso, Matisse, Georgia O’Keefe, Basquiat, or Warhol in the form of a 4x4 square or a 6x6 square. No slip trailing, no words, no religious or political symbols and all designs have to be “G” rated and appropriate for a family-friendly environment.
Dina and I went crazy and bought tons of underglaze transfers, including transfers depicting a variety of animals like bees, fish and butterflies, or variations on waves and water, or designs mimicking beautiful handcrafted Japanese rice paper. We also bought transfers of cherry blossoms, monstera plants, crustaceans, and colorful citrus. The selection of transfers is overwhelming and exhilarating, causing many clubbers to become addicted to Tile Club, returning weekly not only to help us create more than 600 decorated tiles but also to get their aesthetic juices boiling to the point of overflow. We also shared our stash of underglazes that have caused many to create free-hand designs representing a variety of themes.
We have the flowers in a vase theme, the cow in a variety of settings theme, such as cow in a storm, hippie cow, and cow swimming, to name a few. We have native California flowers and birds, and trees, and of course, the CAL Bear will be featured on the wall. We also have the bubble tiles created by blowing bubbles in a solution of underglaze coated on tiles, leaving a design unique to each and every tile made in this style. Dare I say we have had a blast at Tile Club and need more Clubbers to stop by at our last few clubs to help us reach our goal of approximately 600 tiles. We will hold a club on May 31st and perhaps one more the first week of June. If you can’t stick around for the Club, stop by and pick up a few tiles and transfers and take them home. Just be sure to return your finished masterpiece to the Studio by June 5th so they can be fired.
I have enjoyed seeing others enjoy this process, not to mention getting a sneak peek of all the beautiful designs, artwork, and creative collaging that has gone on this past month. I have included a few images of the finished tiles, the Clubbers, and some work in process, and can’t wait to see these lovely tiles on the walls in our new space.
So come on by and make a tile or 10! Thanks to all who have already contributed their artistic flair to this project. Dina and I thank you for turning our idea into a beautiful and creative reality.
