Any commission is welcome and often very important. This commission for a  plaque based on the K of Klaucke and the waves of the original plaque was excepted just before Christmas - actually early December. I was hesitant due to December having a history of processes not delivering the required results - things going awry - and now an opportunity to impress a serious art collector - stress and yes…..you can guess!

The above tile, the second and last of two, has cracked. Right at the beginning when I conceptualized the making of the tile with the client, the idea was to make three horizontal tiles with the top edge just above the waves. But, it is Christmas time, I am overly confident and because of a recent success decided to opt for a single tile …. why … why?

The end result is that I must remake the tile, two again, just in case….!

At least the colour coordination has been developed, a process that took a multitude of tests and firings over a period of four weeks. The glazes being used here are extremely volatile, but so beautiful and so perfect for the position where it will be installed.

The house was designed by Andrew Greeff Architects, a spectacular modular house with a man-made stream flowing through it, and it is above an overflow to a Koi pool that this tile must be installed.

The final firing will be with 22 carat gold lustre that will be fired onto the waves, just to add that last traces of opulence and aristocracy!

The intuitive responses to the clay is what provide me with the passion to create “artworks” like these, it is so much fun but at the same time extremely stressful when the artist works against deadlines that looms like a dark storm gathering on the horizon!

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I was not fortunate enough to visit the Oyster Box Hotel, but a friend was, and she forwarded some images of the entrance panel that was commissioned from our studio.Due to the picture being taken at lunch time the colours are washed out, but at least one can get an idea.Read more… about the professional team behind this project.

To all our followers -  Hot Foot It to The Oyster Box Hotel for early morning champagne and a few photos for us here in the Cape!

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This wonderful couple commissioned a house name and a border as a surround for a switch. They have a discerning eye for detail and it shows not only in the beautiful interiors but also in the exterior landscaping.

The house name was made to cover an electrical box. The ceramic tiles were glued to pressed cement with four holes at the corners. The tile frame was made so that the four corner pieces would cover the screws needed to bolt it over the box.

An attractive solution and it fits the house like a glove!

To the right of the entrance gate is a switch, and they wanted the impact of an ugly black light switch softened. Our designers then scaled and decorated the tile with a leaf pattern to compliment some of the other features in and around the entrance. The tile fits precisely over the knob with the same frame as the one used around the house name, binding the two together.

A sight for sore eyes? NO MORE!

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It is always interesting to see where and how clients use our ceramic tiles. These memorial tiles were fixed to an ornate cement chair in the gardens at Avontuur Estate.

The hobbies and proud accomplishments were depicted as small ceramic art works on 200 x 200mm tiles and the letter work on 200 x 300mm.

The garden setting of this ornate chair at Avontuur Wine Estate inform the viewer that Avontuur Estate was one of his proud accomplishment, That Var - his beloved race horse, wine, growing tobacco, playing golf and cricket were some of the hobbies of a passionate man.

And some feedback:

“Hi Gillian, this is so long overdue, just could not find your email address. The bench as u can see looks divine and stands at Avontuur estate at the entrance more or less of the main homestead. The family appreciated this work you did tremendously. You my go view it whenever you are in the vicinity. I did deliver some wine at your studio with your husband some time ago. Hope you enjoyed.
Regards,
Lindy White“

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Southern Art Ceramic Design was the preferred contractor to manufacture the new ceramic entrance mural at the prestigious Oyster Box Hotel near Durban in Umhlanga KwaZulu Natal.

We have not received images of the final installation, but here is the image that we have received with the brief.

The brief from M2K Architecture was plain and short;… recreate the above tile mural to the following dimensions of 2650mm wide and 1840 mm high…and to fit precisely into an engineered steel frame at the entrance. This contract was successfully delivered after having received an extreme short deadline of 15 working days!

“We are confident that Southern Art can produce the required quality and product within the time frames allowed, their quote seems reasonable and realistic.”In ceramic terms, it means that one prepares for the worst, and backup tiles for the ceramic panel were produced at the same time as the final ceramic mural was in progress and reaching completion!

The next image shows just one aspect of the R&D prior to producing the final panel, and that is experimenting with different brushes to mimic the original paint techniques!

Besides the above, shrinkage tests, colour coordination, layouts & design, transfer of design to the tiles, etc. etc. had to be done within the first few days … even before the contract was confirmed … as it would have been impossible to deliver a mural like this successfully if we had to wait for final confirmation!

Contracts like these that seem so simple in process are actually quite complex to execute within a tight deadline, and only professionals will appreciate this!

And a compliment from the team installing the panel:

” The sign tiles were SO well packed and So well marked so such a pleasure to install!

regards
Jane”

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I always get a feeling of calm and happiness when passing this house number in Hermanus with a surround of handmade ceramic tiles hand painted with a variety of realistic birds from penguins, cormorants, pelicans, guinea fowl, seagulls and the seriously endangered black toby.

This wall would have been an austere entrance and not welcoming at all was it not for this sensitive paintings by Hele Oosthuizen.

Most of our tiles can be used to create your own unique little panel welcoming quests. Our e-commerce site will launch in the next few months making this an easy DIY project!

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The client, a Garagiste in Bantry Bay Cape Town, will definitely attract  lot of visitors, first to view the panel and then … a glass of wine!

I hope ta add an image of the real installation soon!

He requested a plain and simple design. The grapes are realistic enough to draw the viewer closer and closer … and through the entrance…to enjoy the fruit of the vine!

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Mr Sykes forwarded this atmospheric image showcasing the house name we designed and produced for him in the most splendid way!

For those who wish to know the meaning of Cachagua, all I can say is that it is a beach town near Santiago Chile where the client worked for a while.

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The clients commissioned this happy warthog family as a decorative add-on to their house number. Hele’ Oosthuizen painted these adorable little pigs.

This tile panel will definitely ensure that all your quests arrive with a smile on their faces!

I apologize for the poor images but cute stay cute!

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Hele’ Oosthuizen painted this attractive handmade tile panel with olive branches framing a number 9.

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