Field and Fence Panel - Grouting

After much painstaking work it was finally time for Carole Miles and Lucy Anderson to grout the Field and Fence panel. It is also at this stage it's very easy to think ......

"Oh my goodness, where has the all the colour gone!"

as the tiles temporarily disappear beneath the layer of grout. Because it was such a warm day it was also important to work swiftly and not allow too much excess grout adhere to the surface. Once they had checked that all the gaps had been filled, the grouting team set to work gently removing all the unwanted grout from the panel whilst ensuring that they didn't remove too much from between the tiles.

After the washing down was complete and the grout had had time to set, it was time to do one of the most pleasurable jobs, buffing and polishing the surface. It is at this point the tiles reveal their individual and collective beauty. 

Ta Dah! 

Field and fence - panel number five is complete!

Detail

The aftermath - tools and gloves soaking

Lucy and Carole checking diaries to see when work could continue on the remaining panels. It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago Lucy had never worked with mosaics before and now she is raring to get on with another panel. Bravo team!

Brixworth Country Park Mosaic Day

On the May Bank Holiday Monday artist Carole Miles took several panels to Brixworth Country Park for a free, open mosaic making day which was open to all ages and abilities. The room was spacious and airy with a great view of the park and the lake.

Rangers Chris Howe, Dan Hurst and the team did a fantastic job of promoting this day, what's more it was beautiful weather, perfect for a day in the park, which ensured that Carole had a steady stream of participants throughout the day.

We were working on a panel called Spring / Summer featuring two spring lambs captured in a photograph by Kate Dyer in a field near Maidwell during last years walks and a photograph of Suki Carder photographing a field of acid yellow oilseed rape from a different walk. The original photos can be found here and here

We had local visitors who use the park regularly

and fabulous visitors from further afield

family groups

and individuals

Lucy Anderson continuing to work on Field and Fence Panel

It was wonderful to share the stories from our the participants, one man had been taking part in a Triathlon the day before and came with his tiny daughters, there was a huge family group who's ages spanned from 8 months to eighty who'd travelled from the north for their annual meet-up with friends from Towcester. It was a great opportunity for all generations to sit together, enjoy the company whilst adding tiles to the growing mosiac. Many thanks to all who came and took part. A big thank you too for all those who sorted through the mixed box of tiles whilst waiting for a free space on the panel.

Complete set of photos from the day can be found here