13 minute read
ARTS & EVENTS
Gorgeous Glass
Artist specializes in mosaics of Westside landscapes
Carol Davis is a local mosaic artist who specializes in capturing landscapes and nature in the Santa Monica area.
By Bridgette M. Redman
Carol Davis knows that no two people will see the same thing in her artwork, but one thing she does hope for is that it will bring every viewer some taste of happiness and joy. Davis is a mosaic artist who specializes in capturing landscapes and nature in the Santa Monica area. She takes photographs while she is out hiking or even driving around town and then transforms those photos into glass mosaic pieces of art. “I start with an image that I’ve taken and I love to see how glass transforms it,” Davis said. “I never quite know. I have an idea, but it always kind of amazes me, especially after I grout it and the image pops out. Then the color choices are just incredible.” Art is something that has always been in Davis’ life. Her father was an impressionist painter who used to take Davis to museums and explain paintings to her, pointing out perspectives and colors, and helping her to engage deeply with the art. When she was five, her father took a painting she’d made in school of a butterfly and put it in his art show. “It was just a painting I did at school,” Davis said. “He inspired me by loving the painting and putting it in his show. I was like, ‘Really? You want my painting?’”
Path traveled from collages to mosaics
She spent 10 years in San Francisco doing collage arts, building paintings from photos she found in old magazines from the 1940s and 1950s. “They were kind of fun and kitschy,” Davis said. She took a break from art for a while so she could raise her daughter. Then one day, she came across a mosaic class on Groupon. It was a weekend class and after attending it, she decided she was going to go for it. Davis began to develop her own process for what she calls “painting with glass.” It starts with a photo which she sizes and then draws a picture of on wood. On a separate piece of paper, she tries out different colors with paint. She cuts large sheets of colorful glass into small pieces. She then begins placing them on the wood drawing, cutting shapes as she goes and then gluing them into place. Once glass covers the entire drawing, she mixes and applies grout. After 20 minutes, she wipes the grout off and frames the piece. Trees inspire Davis’ work. They make up the bulk of Davis’ inspiration and the art work that she does. She especially likes cypress trees because they remind her of her youth. When she’s looking for trees to photograph, she’ll notice the shadows and shapes and the way they can be transformed in her art. “I like using shadows on things, especially hills,” Davis said. “I can really play with light logic — where is the sun coming from? Is it the upper right side? The left side? That means that a tree or a trunk is going to be lighter on certain parts and darker on certain parts. That’s how you make two-dimensional objects three-dimensional, by manipulating the colors.” The tree’s shape also speaks to her— the way one limb will go in one direction and another in a different direction. “Trees are so strong and literally grounded and the roots go so deep,” Davis said. “They seem kind of wise. What have they seen? What eras have they been through?”
Artist takes photos as she hikes and drives
Will Rogers Park is a favorite destination of Davis’ when looking for places to create photos for her work. It has a trail with a lot of eucalyptus trees that she really likes. At other times, even a sidewalk can capture her attention, especially the perspective created by a tree-lined path. Davis spent some time in landscape design awhile back, focusing on sustainable design, which is what still draws her to landscapes. One time she was walking in an alley behind her house and saw a low wall with a weed growing out of it. It fascinated her and she ended up creating a mosaic of that. “Sometimes I’m just driving around and I’ll pull over to photograph anything beautiful,” Davis said. At other times, she’ll use photos that other people took and build upon them. One of her favorite pieces is called “Gus.” It’s larger than her usual work and was created from an image of a dog wearing a gas mask in World War I. “First, this is very sad that dogs go to war,” Davis said. “But second, they designed a gas mask for this dog, so there is some nurturing in there.” She liked the shape of it and in the background she put a tree to offer a taste of optimism. “There is some hope there,” Davis said. “There is a tree growing behind this dog with a gas mask. It just seemed hopeful, but also poignant.” Davis’ studio is in her converted garage and recently she hosted a show in her backyard. She made a lot of mosaics for the show and hopes people will consider them for themselves or for gifts. She describes them as a hunk of joy that you can hang on your wall. “I want them to make people happy,” Davis said. “I’m biased because I made them, but when I look at them, they make me happy.”
Absolute Mosaics by Carol Davis
absolutemosaics.com
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Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.
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THE ARGONAUT REAL ESTATE BUSINESS NEWS
10 Tips for Creating a Calmer, More Peaceful Home
Your home should be your sanctuary, but sometimes it’s hard to brush off the stress of the day and sink into the serenity. Use these tips to create a space that’s soothing, so, no matter what the day holds, you always have an inviting place to come home to.
Add some greenery
Studies have shown that plants can make your home feel calmer and ease anxiety. Plants like jasmine and English ivy can improve sleep, lavender and rosemary can lower stress, and several other plants have been shown to improve air quality so you breathe easier.
Hide the electronics
“Nobody wants to stare at a tangle of cords,” said Houzz. “Thankfully, we have more options than ever for keeping our tech devices hidden away. When possible, choose smaller, wireless devices that look less obtrusive even when left out in the open.
Get a dog
Or a cat, or a bird for that matter. Yes, having a pet can mean more noise and more mess. But, there are studies that show that having a pet lowers stress. “Researchers found that pet-owning patients with high blood pressure could keep their blood pressure lower during times of mental stress than patients without pets,” said AnimalSmart.org.
Clear the clutter
Going all Marie Kondo on your home can have surprising effects on your mental state. “Clutter can play a significant role in how we feel about our homes, our workplaces, and ourselves,” said psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter in Psychology Today. “Messy homes and work spaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed.”
Tone down the harsh colors
There’s something to be said for going bold, but soft colors can bring on a calming feeling. If you want a deeper color, consider shades of blues and greens—two colors that are known to be more serene than, say bright yellow, orange, or red.
Clean up your entryway
It’s the first place guests see, and while you probably don’t pass by or through your front entry all that often if you park in the garage, it may not feel as welcoming as you’d like when you do.
Soften the lighting
Harsh overhead lighting can make you feel like you’re being interrogated, and can also be hard on your eyes. If you need to keep it because the space will be too dark otherwise, a dimmer can at least give you some control over just how bright it is.
Limit the patterns
Buy some fresh flowers
According to a study by Rutgers, “The presence of flowers trigger happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive way far beyond what was originally believed.”
Make your master bedroom a zen zone
Getting good rest is key, and there are several ways you can create a soothing space. Keeping the colors serene is key, and so is a good mattress. Loading the bed up with soft textures can also help. “The sensation of touch is often overlooked, but a powerful way to unwind,” said Mass.gov.
THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTION CAME FROM: Bob & Cheryl Herrera,
Professional Real Estate Services 310-306-5427 DRE: 00910858 DRE: 01332794
