Rooster Mosaic loveliness

I love this moment...hours and hours of cutting, placing and sticking are over...

 Before grouting, I cover the slate with masking tape to stop it getting ingrained with grout...

 I mix the grout to a lovely, thick, creamy consistency.

Then I spread it all over. With my hands (I love the feel of it, the spreading tools just aren't for me). Many mosaic artists don't like grouting. I love it. I love the unifying effect, the emergence of art from under a blanket of goo. Its just like life. You have to trust that even when beauty is covered up, it still there, waiting to emerge.

Then gently, slowly (straight away, I just can't wait!) I begin to wipe the excess grout off. Its a loving process, tenderly stroking and bringing it to life - shining up each small piece that makes up the whole.

Just love it. I finished Mr Cheeky Rooster yesterday (he is a commission for a couple's 40th wedding anniversary) and a friend of mine looked at him and said "ooh, he is alive!". I couldn't want for a nicer compliment to a piece of my mosaic art.