tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29026956715794527352024-09-08T10:47:41.456+10:00Australian artist, Kevin McMahon - creator of mosaics and 'recycle art'...waffling on about events in my world, my creative journey, and things that inspire or make me think (not suitable for circus performers, ninjas, and certain species of chickens).MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-19394584014892364832013-10-18T18:24:00.000+10:002015-12-19T08:50:51.432+10:00

Added a links page and began updating tutorials on my website. More to come soon... I've been keeping busy assisting with my local community mosaic group for a few hours each week... working on my smaller projects at the mosaic group when I can as well as mosaic projects for the group, although most of the time I end up helping out with this or that and putting my almost 8 years experience

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-10420904551198832382012-03-05T14:47:00.001+10:002019-07-11T20:04:32.625+10:00

After waiting for over two months for the web designer to complete my new website I decided to have a go at it myself, as I was tired of excuses and nothing getting done. I used a WordPress theme, for which I then created custom graphics, including a new logo. As the new website also functions as a blog, I will now only make occasional posts on this blog which may include recipes

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-80864064701240519632012-02-21T12:59:00.008+10:002015-11-04T15:46:34.201+10:00

Recently I've been asked by several people for instructions to my extremely productive no dig veggie garden in Hervey Bay which I created from scratch... so here it is. Warning: This method will produce an abundance of fresh vegetables bursting with flavour, without the use of chemicals or pesticides! Materials: Pine or hardwood sleepers (or other suitable

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-33519002788899877942012-02-18T13:38:00.001+10:002019-07-11T20:03:25.558+10:00

It was quite an effort finding hinges and matching door hardware to complete the media cabinet I built from re-used timber, but it is now finally finished. I am happy with the end result, and again have taught myself some new skills along the way. 'Moroccan style' media cabinet - re-used plywood and decking off-cuts, rolled glass.

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-23965629879299659492012-01-29T10:53:00.004+10:002012-03-26T09:58:11.950+10:00

I was recently given a used 'Turbo convection oven' which I then discovered had a very badly rusted heater element cover, so it was unsafe to use for food. As usual, before throwing it away, I considered potential artistic uses for the glass bowl and other components. With the addition of a rescued glass saucepan lid, a liberal scattering of smallish rocks, some small cacti and succulents, it is

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-71458690460856977432012-01-28T08:32:00.001+10:002012-03-26T09:58:34.722+10:00

This antique medicine cabinet has been handed down through the family from my grandfather. I restored it some time ago, however was unable to find a suitable keyhole escutcheon which it has always lacked. I stumbled across a selection of escutcheons during my search for hinges to use on the Moroccan style entertainment cabinet I built recently... it arrived yesterday and I wasted no time

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-75027181293638736082012-01-18T18:38:00.022+10:002012-07-21T18:05:03.693+10:00

It's taking me a lot longer than I ever expected to get my new studio set up, but I've finally repaired the workbench which was vandalised on my balcony at the old house. Now that it's in the studio, it has given me an extra work surface, which means my glass-working bench no longer needs to double as a general workbench... and hopefully that means that I will be more productive. I still have

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-59814749159111853452011-09-27T21:22:00.004+10:002012-03-26T09:59:47.183+10:00

I created this delicious, refreshing juice recipe this morning using 100% natural ingredients, and thought I'd share it. I am considering starting a separate blog to post my many other recipes, so please try this one and leave a comment at the bottom of this post about what you thought of it. Ingredients: 8 x red apples (I used 4 x "Delicious" and 4 x "Pink Lady" apples) 1 x pear 2 x Navel

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-91763297609258219512011-09-22T17:05:00.003+10:002012-07-21T18:03:46.176+10:00

After a busy day a couple of weeks ago, I looked outside before closing up the house for the night... the sky was dark and overcast, but I decided to do a preliminary sketch for a mosaic featuring stars. The sketch also got me thinking about how to fill a blank area on my website. Seeing stars is not that unusual for me, as I have been fascinated by the stars and "why do stars twinkle?"

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-3694939432146347832011-08-03T19:36:00.023+10:002012-07-21T17:55:16.644+10:00

I knew it would take me a long time to clean up after the floods here, but certainly didn't expect to be still going more than six months later! I must admit however, that my slow pace is also largely due to ongoing vandalism here which has required me to relocate my larger work areas indoors, as well as repairing the vandalised garden art pieces. I still hadn't gotten over my car being

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-69134791870009234762011-06-25T15:36:00.009+10:002019-06-28T09:04:46.476+10:00

This morning while tending to my vegetable garden I detected the faint smell of smoke, however when I looked around I could not see where it was coming from. Click picture to enlarge As I walked up the stairs to refill the watering can I looked down the hill, and froze in my tracks as I caught sight of the fire and billowing smoke from the field across the road. For a moment I didn't know

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-410629428519626732011-06-24T17:52:00.013+10:002012-07-21T17:42:00.951+10:00

Media cabinet before adding doors, timber stain, and other embellishments. I'm nearing completion of a Moroccan style media cabinet I am making from reused timber. I am very happy with the way it is evolving, and not having all the necessary power tools has given me the opportunity to learn more traditional methods. Currently, I am searching for information regarding the correct type of

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-85363191215116548632011-01-20T20:57:00.024+10:002012-07-21T17:41:06.274+10:00

My clean-up after the local flooding here is bigger than I expected... after everything had almost dried, I had a chance to take a proper look and get to work cleaning up under the house. Part of work area under house, during clean-up showing erosion from flood water. I thought I could cope with the clean-up on my own, after all it's comparatively nothing compared to what others in

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-83910463305868794932011-01-14T11:18:00.137+10:002012-07-21T17:38:23.953+10:00

My heart goes out to all the Queenslanders affected by the floods, and I wish you all a safe and speedy recovery. I've received a few enquiries from concerned friends... the floods being shown on TV did not affect me here, as I live on an island. I did however have a substantial amount of rainwater over the last few weeks running down the hill on which my house sits (or stands, depending on

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-17675560537255671672010-12-21T17:01:00.011+10:002014-02-27T15:29:39.819+10:00

With all the heavy rain we've been getting, I've been itching to get back into my garden. New plants have sprung up everywhere, with many others flowering... enticing me with their multi-colour perfumed displays! The rain also brought a heap of frogs with it, and the sounds of their croaking filled the air. It's a sound I find rather comforting because I know if there are frogs around, it

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-67667653754963702322010-11-21T19:35:00.007+10:002012-07-21T17:31:23.579+10:00

I haven't posted for a while, as I've been busy on my art projects, some of which Santa wants completed before Christmas... and who am I to disappoint him. Santa is very secretive, and has asked me not to post pics or other details of these projects just yet, as he wants them to be a surprise. Mosaic fountain being constructed in my studio. The 'new' fountain glass substrate is finished

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-21017407683634600222010-11-12T07:23:00.004+10:002012-07-21T17:27:35.423+10:00

Wednesday afternoon I cleaned and began to prepare the large window pane I was going to use as the substrate (backing) for the glass wall fountain. As I carefully scraped off the silicone sealant at the bottom of the window, I found a crack which was beginning to run upward and thus made the glass unusable as I had planned. I had been wondering how I could curve the top of the mosaic, to echo

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-79881548516170438102010-11-09T06:33:00.003+10:002012-07-21T17:26:14.208+10:00

I've just finished sketching plans before changing my studio layout to give it a better work flow. Drawing a plan could potentially save a lot of time, as it helps determine whether or not the layout will work, before I move anything. I also drew plans to build new shelves after finishing gluing the final pieces on 'Lotus Vase' recycled glass mosaic which I'll post pics of after it is grouted.

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-51471995563703818402010-11-08T07:09:00.005+10:002012-07-21T17:23:47.521+10:00

Choosing the colours for your #mosaic is not always as straight forward as it seems, and even the geographic location should be considered due to subtle variation in the colour of natural light in various climatic zones. The colour of grout is also an important choice, as it can fragment, blend or enhance the final appearance of a mosaic. Much of my early #mosaic work has been abstract, which

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-24496259083836515032010-11-07T18:28:00.002+10:002012-07-21T11:50:37.267+10:00

Today I grouted my outdoor work desk. I use this desk when I am cutting messy materials such as glass and ceramic, as it's so much easier to clean up afterward. I also use it for gluing mosaics, which requires plenty of ventilation... no shortage of that out here! I love working here as it has a great view, and my feathered friends can drop in whenever they feel like it, which seems to be

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-43846423916755622212010-10-31T06:50:00.009+10:002015-11-04T15:50:23.204+10:00

I always feel invigorated after yoga, and it has, along with meditation become an essential part of my daily life. So, with my soul fed, I need to feed my body. I always try to choose healthy foods but on Sundays I often prepare a special treat for breakfast... such as banana pancakes. I almost always use fresh home grown herbs in my cooking, and my choice of topping for pancakes varies

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-79383705515208289182010-10-26T17:16:00.012+10:002012-07-21T11:39:53.621+10:00

The inspiring views from my balcony are one of the things that quickly endeared me to my little house on the hillside. So it's no wonder I can't wait to start each day there. Tasty breakfasts on the balcony often follow my morning yoga sessions. And when the weather is good, I spend most of my creative time on the balcony where I am surrounded by nature. Today I chose to be creative... again.

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-46066643911712498262010-10-25T17:08:00.004+10:002012-07-21T11:39:15.300+10:00

There's nothing like a good thunderstorm to freshen the air... last night's storm was a real ripper, and great weather for catching up on reading the pile of books I recently borrowed from the local library. As I sat down, thunder shook the whole house. The delay between the flash and deafening rumble was almost imperceptible, so no doubt the lighting strike was very close by. Then down

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-67482452809896182832010-10-24T05:41:00.019+10:002012-07-21T11:20:27.748+10:00

Sunrise over "Straddie" (North Stradbroke Island), viewed from my balcony. It's set to be another very busy day, but it's off to a beautiful start. The sun is rising and will warm my yoga spot on the balcony. I am so thankful for being introduced to Qi yoga... it's a dynamic, flowing style of yoga that really gets my day off to a good start. Here are close-ups of the two mosaics I made

MosaicAvatarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16681183133070862236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902695671579452735.post-40984323385121819922010-10-23T20:49:00.006+10:002012-07-21T11:17:45.508+10:00

First it was the crazy weather. I had packed away everything that could've blown away or gotten damaged, so I got out of it without losing too much apart from 2 trees, a potted plant and a ceramic pot... and a lot of flooding at the bottom of the 'mountain', as seen in the pic below. Any more of this weather and I'll be trading the car in for a boat! Then it was all the craziness with

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