Archangel Gabriel

Archangel Gabriel. Mosaic, 24 x 48 in, designed in Byzantine tradition and executed using direct technique. Being my first mosaic, I used a mix of smalti and stained glass hand cut tesserie to get a feel for the differences working with these materials. Using a variety of patterns including opus tessellatum and vermiculatum, I reworked selected areas to achieve the desired andamento. Although not customary in traditional Byzantine mosaic work, I grouted my piece using sanded grout. Creating my "Archangel Gabriel" proved to be a fulfilling experience and has inspired me to continue working in this medium; other pieces are currently underway.