Running two experiments at once. First one: how to keep the cats off my work today? Second one: how to cut porcelain tile (which is really hard) efficiently, without using my right hand to squeeze?

Answers: 1. Work while most of the studio cats are asleep. 2. Use a chopper that works with a rotating handle, rather than nippers/scissor action.

Porcelain tile, 1″ square.

Once I got the pieces laid on the Wedi board backing and adhered with gray thinset, I decided that for my current sensibilities, I would prefer tesserae that look less mechanically produced with their clean edges and many flat surfaces. How to fix this particular little experimental mosaic?

Pull out some pebbles of various colors and adhere them on top of flat surfaces to give a more organic appearance.

A large part of art-making is playing. Artists absolutely must play with ideas and materials in order to build new trains of thought and make new connections. It is vital to have a bunch of “failed” experiments lying around, as well as experiments that will the be germ of the next series of art pieces.

Today’s experiment might become part of something new, but I’m not sure yet.