Golden Slippers in Glass — Custom Snowy Egret Mosaic in Chicago
“ MEC created a magnificent, life-like depiction of this fantastic bird”
— Liam
A client in Chicago requested this nature-inspired mosaic. The Snowy Egret is a majestic bird with its white feathers, thin black beak and orange feet that are often called the ‘golden slippers’ of the bird.
The Snowy Egret is a rare sighting in Chicago and is an endangered species. The egret has been depicted in its natural habitat in this mosaic. Its habitat is generally close to water bodies on the banks of rivers or ponds amongst tall rushes that grow there.
Client Brief for the Snowy Egret Mural Mosaic
Our client, Liam, wanted a portrayal of the Snowy Egret in its natural surroundings. The initial mood boards depicted the bird in water, but later on our design team added water rushes to the artwork.
Liam wanted the details of this magnificent bird to be depicted as close to the real creature as possible.
Our design team decided upon Warm White for its body and feathers. Its beak and legs were crafted in Deep Black.
The ‘golden slippers’ were designed in Bright Orangish Yellow tiles to give a small touch of bright contrasting hues in this mosaic of natural colours.
A few catchy shades were requested in the artwork too. The rushes and vegetation in the mural were crafted in Turquoise, Aqua, Teal Green and Sky to Cobalt Blue tiles.
Inspiration Moodboard for the Mural
Our design team first decided to show the egret in water, which is the hunting grounds of this creature.
Later on, that was changed, and the egret was depicted amongst the wild weeds and rushes that are found at the banks of ponds and lakes.
More than one egret was depicted in the final design pattern for this mosaic mural.
A lustrous Deep Black shade of glass was decided for the legs and the bill of the bird. The legs ended in colour pops of Orange and Yellow for its ‘slippers’.
Our design team played with quite a few shades of blues and greens so that it is left to the viewer’s imagination to differentiate between water and plants in the final artwork.
Design Development
Initial Sketches
The initial drawings of the mural showed the egret in the water. Afterwards, that was changed. They were shown in between wild plants taking flight. The positioning of their bodies reflects their grace and power during the process.
The Final Picture
The final mural decided upon displayed two Snowy Egrets in between rushes. The idea of being inside or close to a water body is suggested too. Touches of blue and green can be seen at the bottom of the mural.
Material for the Mosaic
Hand-cut glass was the straight-away choice for the mosaic as it absorbs a range of dyes to result in very natural-looking coloured tiles. It may also be cut into any required shape. Regular and irregular both.
Crafting This Bird
Behind the scenes of artisan craftsmanship:
“From its razor-sharp, spear-like bill to its celebrated ‘golden slippers’, each tesserae was planned and crafted to fit in perfectly”.
— Design Team
Liam wanted a natural depiction of this wondrous bird. Our craftsmen gave him exactly what he wanted.
The egrets are shown weaving their way through the rushes. Our Italian-trained artisans crafted this mural with great skill and meticulousness.
As the egret is shown from in between the plants, each white and blue/green tile had to be hand-cut in a specific shape and placed in a specific spot. The white tiles depict the feathers of the bird and the blue/green ones, the wild plants.
The Snowy Egret is an active and graceful bird. It has a very elegant air to it. The sleekness of its legs, bill and overall body seems to tell us that.
MEC Artworks handled all these details. Each tile which was used to craft the egrets was crafted and placed to convey that power and beauty.
Other Bird Mosaics by MEC Artworks
“MEC Artworks gave me exactly what I wished for”
— Liam, Chicago
Nature is a globally loved choice for mosaic artwork. Clients often request the addition of a bird or butterfly to floral mosaics.
The presence of creatures amongst the flowers just makes the mosaic so much more alive.
At MEC Artworks, we have crafted a range of bird mosaics for clients all over the world.
From tiny fluttering sparrows and hummingbirds to majestic flamingoes and peacocks who command the whole artwork with their colours and artistry.
Birds are a symbol of peace and freedom.
The Snowy Egret, in particular, shows
- Purity reflected in its white feathers
- Focus and determination through its hunting style
- Perseverance through its history of being over-hunted but still surviving extinction.
A bird which is more than just pretty or graceful. The installation of this mural in our client’s space was like an addition of a positive vibe or a heartening message to its viewers.
FAQs
Can I have a custom bird mosaic made from a specific bird or photograph?
Absolutely! A bespoke bird mosaic can be created from a photograph, artwork, or a particular bird species. As in the above project, our customer wanted a mosaic of the Snowy Egret. The design can be adapted to capture the bird’s colours, features and any other specification you desire. The mosaic can be made natural or like pictures in books.
Can the mosaic be customised to match my home or interior?
Certainly. This is the definition of custom mosaic artwork. The type of bird, background, border, dimensions, colours, and overall artwork are made to the client’s specifications. This makes it possible to create a piece that fits correctly into your home’s interior style, whether the space is traditional, modern, coastal, minimalistic, or luxury.
What materials can be used for a custom bird mosaic?
Depending on the desired look and installation location, bird mosaics can be crafted from natural stone, marble, glass, ceramic, porcelain or a mixture of these materials. Glass is the common choice as it can pick up any colours to depict feathers and fine details. Natural stone and marble may offer less scope for colours but reflect timelessness and sophistication.
How long does it take to create a custom bird mosaic?
This may take anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks. The timeframe is dependent on the
- size,
- Intricacy
- Materials
- Amount of detail
- Whether or not the piece is handmade and hand-cut.
Naturally, a simpler design will require less time, while an intricate one will take longer. MEC Artworks provides an estimated production and installation timeline after reviewing the design details.
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