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Last Updated on 12-31-11
*NEW* Common Ground Art Tile
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Common Ground Art Tile The Process in a Nutshell I make each tile by hand starting with a ball of clay. A slab is rolled and various sized tiles are cut using templates as guides. After the tiles sit for a day, I smooth the top edges using my finger and water, and the tiles are stacked two-high, face-to-face. Then they are dried slowly under plastic over the next 48 hours until they are leather hard. The plastic is removed and they are allowed to dry naturally on wire racks so they get even air circulation on both sides. Once completely dry, (bone dry), they are bisque fired to a temperature of around 1850˚ F. I draw the designs in pencil on the bisque fired tiles, and the glazes are applied one at a time, by hand, to the decorated tiles. Each glaze is built up in layers to achieve the right color, but not so thick that it would run off the tile during the firing. The tiles are then loaded into the kiln and fired to a temperature of 2200˚ F. I may fire tiles up to 5 times to get the look I am after, but no more than that. When clay is re-fired many times it tends to get brittle. Designs and Designing I am very interested in doing custom work, unique to the person making the order. Murals and portraits, area tiles, field tile, borders and step risers, table tops, counter tops, mirror surrounds, shower surrounds, wheel-thrown sink basins, floor tiles, carpet tiles, nautical designs, etc. I can design from drawings or photos, and will work in conjunction with the customer from start to finish. I pay close attention to detail in my work and I am proud of the art I am producing. The Tiles I am currently producing square tiles in the 1", 2", 3", 4", 6'', 8", and 12" sizes, and rectangles of various dimensions that compliment the square sizes. I will be introducing a line of other geometric shapes that go together with my glazes to make stunning tile installations as well. The tile is a mid-fire stoneware that is completely vitrified, making them solid and strong, and is suitable for wet or outdoor locations. With a little care they will last thousands of years. I am currently putting together a catalog of designs and will continue to add to it as the work progresses. I have also registered the domain name www.commongroundarttile.com and will build the Common Ground Art Tile website very soon. Please call for pricing and custom work. GO HERE to see the finished Fish Pool Fountain project. Lily Pad and Lotus flower tiles. Made up of 6" x 6" tiles and 3" x 3" tiles.
"Decisive Moment" mural, 18" x 24" without commercial trim pieces.
"3-D" design--Daisies, Dragonflies and Diamonds, 18" x 24" without commercial trim pieces.
Other designs Borders Linked Flower Border
Same border including another variation of the same design, showing border stripes and different flower color.
Linked flower border with extruded counter edging and matching glaze
Thistle design, fired (L) and unfired (R)
Unfired Thistle tiles
"Serious Fish" design on 4-8"x8" tiles (note, white clay I no longer use)
Smoothing the edges of 3" X 3" tiles for custom order
3" X 3" tiles (custom order)
2" X 2" tiles drying with 3" X 6" rectangular tiles below
3" X 6" rectangular tiles drying
Extruded bullnose trim drying on forms designed to maintain 90˚ angle.
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