Michelle Greenwood-Brown

Daydreaming

All the pieces, with the exception of a few millefiori, have been made by myself using Bullseye fusible glass and dichroic glass. My preferred process is to make lots of fused glass pieces, all different shapes, colours and thicknesses and then spend countless hours fitting them all together so that they fit perfectly. The mosaic is then grouted and polished. I find the long hours of selecting the right piece for the right place to be mentally calming and allow me to drift into a meditative state, and daydream.

Materials

Fired and fused glass tesserae (made by myself in a glass kiln at various temperatures) stuck individually onto a wooden base, then finished with black grout.

THE PANDEMIC EFFECT

At first it was a shock to have my teaching sessions and exhibiting opportunities completely put on hold. I had to leave my workshop in a gallery and move into a smaller space at home. Happily I could work outdoors and made several mosaic features in my garden, something I would never have time to do.

I was working most days and the lessening of stresses over deadlines, teaching etc. was beneficial and I enjoyed the creative process for its own sake. I had time to think about what I wanted to make and spent quiet, meditative days taking pleasure from whatever I was working on.

I found Instagram a good way of connecting with other makers and responded to the weekly mosaic challenges set by BAMM (British Association for Modern Mosaic), which took my work in different directions.

I am thankful that no one in my family was ill and because of this I was able to find lockdown a positive experience. To express this I have made a sculpture called 'It’s So Quiet I Can Hear the Birds Sing' which is currently installed in a flower bed on Teignmouth seafront as part of our annual recycled art trail.