Tile Tuesday: The Many Meanings of "Encaustic"

What is encaustic painting?As an artist, I love the sensuousness of working in the encaustic medium which I discovered in 2008.  Encaustic painting involves beeswax, resin and pigments in varying combinations.  They are mixed together and applied to a panel in layers which are fused  with a torch or heat gun.  This is where the name comes from.  The Greek work “encaustikos” means to heat or burn.-ddIQGtgKVWTPgmyiaoDUQlVynvPOE63WFjKoJJ_AW4LAYspNEncaustic painting predates oil painting and was used to create portraits on mummy casings dating back to 100BC in Egypt. These paintings are known as the "Fayum" portraits. Many have survived because beeswax is extremely stable so the pigments do not fade over time.Flag by Jasper Johns 1954-55 Encaustic on panel The technique fell into obscurity but was resurrected in the 1950s by artist Jasper Johns.  You remember this painting, no? It’s an encaustic painting! Fast forward to the twenty first century and you will find more and more artists working with wax and incorporating it into their repetoire. XDlSU2m0JdlhcRlyjN4nSXnUDwn_SDFIrIh2X9LluWALAYspN The Name GameIn the pursuit of all things tile, while on my trip to the Cevisama tile trade show with Tile Of Spain, I discovered something called “encaustic tile”.  No one could actually tell me how it was connected to what I knew to be encaustic art  so I decided to find out. 16th century Turkish encaustic tile.Guess what?  There is no connection.  Here’s what I discovered:Encaustic tile is also referred to as cement tile, inlaid tile and hydraulic tile.  The name“encaustic” with reference to tile, comes from the nineteenth century.  Turns out there is a third type of encaustic! It is also the name of a process of medieval enameling involving wax.  Victorians thought that inlaid tile resembled this enamel work and began to refer to it as encaustic.  The intricate patterns and designs of encaustic tile mimic the encaustic enameling process. It is a total misnomer but the name “Encaustic tile” stuck. This attractive geometric floor tile is a modern example of cement/hydraulic/inlaid/encaustic tile by PerondaSo what is encaustic tile?Cement tiles are not fired; there is no glaze layer on the surface of the tile. They derive their durability from the combination of finely dehydrated ground Portland cement layer and a more coarse layer of sand and cement. The pigment layer is hydraulically pressed into the surface and becomes a part of the tile. This merging of two layers creates the typically crisp clean patterns.2651919-house-22apr15_JakeCurtis_b_640x960 Originally these tiles were handmade but naturally today they are mass produced as described above. Encaustic, or cement tiles are known for their durability as floor tile and have lasted centuries. This explanation only scratches the surface as each country town and village in Italy, Spain, Mexico, Turkey etc. has its own history with the technique.EncausticTileIn my research I also came across the work of Benedicte Bodard. She lives in Barcelona where she salvages cement tile from dumpsters.  With a little TLC ,she recreates them into furniture, wall hangings and more.So there you have it.  If you have more info or would like to continue the conversation, email me or come by and visit on FaceBook.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Update: Since posting this on Tuesday I have heard from designer Lundy Wilder of Villa Lagoon Tile.  Not only is she an expert on cement tile, she even has a blog devoted to it! Here's what she had to add to the conversation: "Today's cement tiles are indeed still hand made all over the world.  Ours are made in the Caribbean, Morocco, Vietnam, and Mexico. We have been to the factories (workshops is more fitting word)  and know the owners well, all our cement  tiles are made by hand. 

Some UK, Italian and Spanish ceramic tile companies have used ink jet technology to print an image of a real hand made cement tile on the surface of a ceramic tile and fire it under glaze. 
These are fake (or faux) encaustic cement tiles just like the popular 'wood plank' ceramic tiles are fake wood (or faux) wood.  Of course there are some large scale machine made concrete tiles on the market in solid colors like gray and black....but this is a different animal. They are usually called pavers."

  

A Tile Tale Inspired by Life and Process: Meet Guy Mitchell

Handmade products are one of the easiest ways to create an artful kitchen.  In fact there was a whole turn of the century style devoted to that concept.  The Arts and Crafts movement (1880-1910) was a reaction to the industrial age of machinery and mass production.  Proponents felt that items crafted by human hands were imbued with a soulfulness that was lacking in factory produced goods. I think they had a point and, although mass production definitely has its perks, it's nice to include unique handcrafted tiles, tableware or linens in your kitchen.

Guy Mitchell at work in his studio
 Today we're seeing a resurgence of this philosophy in the "Makers' Movement". More on that later but, since today is Tile Tuesday, I'd love for you to meet Guy Mitchell, a tile artisan that takes his craft to the next level.  He has graciously agreed to an interview with AK.
AK:  What is your background and how did you get into making artisan tile?
Guy: All of my education has been art based, resulting in a degree in three-dimensional design, specialising in ceramic making and tableware. What I loved best was experimenting with glazes and finishes, so whilst other students were spending weeks sculpting huge ceramic art pieces I was making hundreds of tiles to test glazes on! After university I took up a voluntary placement in a pottery department at a day service for adults with learning disabilities. This led to paid work and then a career in the care sector, but a move away from art and craft. Jump forward to late 2013 and I was in a position to buy a kiln and set up a studio in the garden.
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AK: I notice that you are in the UK.  Are your products available in the US?
Guy: I am based in the UK and I can ship to the US. There are no stocklists of my work in the US just yet but if any retailers over there to want to get in touch then please do!
AK: What is your inspiration?
Guy: I take inspiration from all sorts of places. I love the colours and patterns of Islamic tiles,the simplicity of Victorian English architectural and subway tiles and also British and Scandinavian mid-century studio pottery. African and Japanese textiles are also a big influence as is contemporary interior design. I like dark and glamorous rather than light and plain. Inspiration also comes from the process of making, and the results I get from experimenting with glaze colours.I think there is beauty in simple repetition and tiles are the perfect medium for this.
AK: Do you accept custom commissions?
Guy: Yes! Custom commissions are most welcome. I can supply wall tiles for any room but I can also design and make art panels than can be used as back splashes, counters or table tops. I'm happy to receive offers for any tile related work, just email me at guymitchellartist@gmail.com
AK: What has been your favorite project/tile?
In the last month I have been working on a couple of table tops and I am very happy with the designs. Like all of my work, the tiles are cut out by hand, from a slab of clay I've rolled out by hand. All of the glazes and colours I have used are mixed from scratch using raw materials.
Thank you to Guy for sharing his vision with us on Tile Tuesday.  His work is unique and beautiful. If you'd like to know more check out the following links:

Everything You Wanted to Know About Tile: An Interview with Ryan Fasan

Before we get too crazy with the art here (I'm so sure we will!) I wanted to share some solid info about tile from the man who knows it best, Ryan Fasan.  I had the pleasure of meeting "THE tile man" on my recent trip to the trade show Cevisama with Tile of Spain. Ryan is a professional consultant for all things tile related and also spoke this past week at the trade show Coverings in Orlando. Explaining and sharing his vision and understanding of ceramic tile is what he does best and he has graciously agreed to dish his knowledge here with us at Artful Kitchens. Take it away, Ryan! (For your viewing pleasure I am including some photos from some of the Spanish tile brands seen at Cevisama15) Sinergias, an exhibition showcasing academic studies and projects in ceramic tile was featured in the entry hall at Cevisama15. I love the sculptures! Each one experiments with one of three post-forming strategies, cutting, folding and bending-by Harvard University Graduate School of DesignAK: What’s the difference between porcelain and ceramic tile? Ryan:  Porcelain (who’s technical term is impervious tile) is a classification of ceramic tile. There are four types of tile, each classified by its water absorption capabilities. Impervious or porcelain tile happens to be the densest with a porosity of 0.5% or less. It is important to note that densest does not mean “best” in every application. The industry makes four types of tile for a reason and each type has an optimal area of use. When selected and installed properly any type of tile can last for decades if not centuries.AK: Is it true that porcelain tile is the same color all the way through?Ryan: Well there is "through-body" porcelain and colored body porcelain which is probably what you're referring to. Through-body is a heavy duty commercial product that is unglazed and extremely durable with very low water absorpbtion, usually around 0.01%In residential design you're more likely to encounter colored body porcelain which has some type of glaze. The body of the tile is then colored to match the glaze but the wear layer is still just in the glaze, so no, it's not "the same" all the way through.Retro by Aparici is inspired by traditional handmade tile. I think it softens and adds character to this modern interpretation of vintage.AK: Do I have to use grout?Ryan: Even though this is often the wording used, the real question is do I have to leave a joint or can I just put the tile tightly together (called a butt-joint)? The answer is yes, you do have to have a joint. Our buildings are not as solid or perfect as we often think they are. Joints allow for natural expansion and contraction.AK: I know that all tile is made of white or red clay. Is one better than the other?Ryan: Absolutely not! A good factory will make quality tile from any color of clay. Often the most cost-effective and environmentally responsible decision is to use whatever color of clay is locally available and modify it as required. Price is most likely dictated by the proximity of the clay source.Beyond, also by Aparici ,features a micro-crystalline polished finish. It's so elegant! The joints are there but you can hardly see them!AK: What benefits are there to “rectified” tile?Ryan: Rectification is the cutting grinding of all 4 sides of the fired tile to ensure that all sides are square and the entire surface area is flat. By removing the sides, we get rid of the characteristic “pillow” in a ceramic which makes for much more realistic stone or wood reproductions. This can allow for a joint as small as 1/16"! However remember to ask if a tile is mono-calibre before specifying that small of a joint.Har Stone Grey by Tau is a full body porcelain perfect for heavy duty traffic areas. Wow! Just think how knowledgeable you are going to be next time you go tile shopping! Thanks again to Ryan for taking the time to answer my probing tile questions.Continue the conversation on FaceBook.  Is there something more you'd like to know about tile or a fact that you'd like to share?

Tile Tuesday: In Valencia Art is a Way of Life

Welcome to today's installment of Tile Tuesday!  The second half of my adventure with Tile of Spain took us to Valencia, location of Cevisama the annual trade show held to showcase the latest innovations introduced by the Spanish tile industry.The City of Arts and Sciences, a stunning example of the new Spanish architecture designed byDesigned by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela.We traveled by train east from Sevilla to Valencia, which is situated on the coast about 300 miles south of Barcelona. At first glance Valencia appears to be very modern with a predominance of what I call “the new Spanish architecture” featuring waves, curves and a visually interesting asymmetry."                               "But there is an older Valencia to explore as well. The heart of the city features structures such as The “Iglesia de San Juan del Hospital” which dates back to the 1200s! The current city grew from this center. What a crazy combination of styles!  You can see Roman, Gothic, Renaissance  and more because different sections were constantly added to the original structure.Our tour guide       explained how Valencia's main river Turia flooded the town killing hundreds in 1957.  This prompted a massive project to re route the river to prevent future catastrophe. So far it's worked.Again we had a passionate knowledgeable tour guide who did not allow us to leave one inch of Valencia uncovered! 2015-02-11 02.08.31 One of my favorite spots was the Mercado de Colón, a beautiful example of the Art Nouveau style. Glass and tile adorn this early twentieth century marketplace, now a gathering place full of interesting bars and restaurants.2015-02-11 02.08.49Hallmarks of the Art Nouveau style include free flowing organic shapes,  rich earth tones and lots of tile! At the turn of the nineteenth century there was no aspect of living that was not touched by the movement.  It was a global trend as well.  In Germany it was known as Jugendstil, in Spain Arté Joven and Secession in Austria.  The American version evolved into the what we know as the Arts and Crafts Movement, a simplified, more linear version.   According to Art Nouveau philosophy,  art should be a way of life. No wonder I'm always intrigued by it!A great modern interpretation of Art Nouveau by Grabill Cabinets.  If you're looking to "Nouveau" your kitchen here are somethings you can include:-Rich brown wood stains-Green, green and green 

-Some curvy shapes (more affordable to do this with your counter top than with cabinets)-Oak wood floors or cabinets1-2-ACHFA07-444x666 -Certain flora and fauna like the dragonfly, the ginko leaf and the thistle are all images often seen in Art Nouveau styling-Ceramic tile backsplashes (preferably with the above motifs)Next Tile Tuesday: More Cevisama and the future of tile. 

Tile Tuesday: Beauty & Knowledge

Welcome the the third installment of Tile Tuesday.  If you missed the last two you can catch them here and here.The second half of my adventure with Tile of Spain took us to Valencia, the location of Cevisama, annual trade show held to showcase the latest innovations introduced by the Spanish tile industry.2015-02-09 15.20.30 Attending Cevisama  was an introduction to a whole world of possibilities!  If you’ve been following Tile Tuesday, you already know that ceramic tile is a part of the Spanish culture dating back to Roman and Moorish times. Tile is nothing new but the uses and innovations in the ceramic industry certainly are! In the coming weeks we’ll talk about some of the big trends I saw that you can incorporate into your own kitchen.Cevisama was held in Feria ValenciaBefore we do that let’s cover some good to know, sometimes misunderstood, facts about tile.  For your viewing pleasure I have inserted a little eye candy to keep you on your toes!WHAT IS IT?Ceramic tile is a perfect balance of the classical elements of earth (clay), air, water and fire. All are involved in its creation. All tile is made of either red or white clay.2015-02-10 16.18.01 CERAMIC, PORCELAIN OR BOTH?One big question I get regards porcelain vs. ceramic. Guess what? Porcelain tiles ARE ceramic tiles. There is only one technical difference. A tile must have a water absorbtion rate of .05 to be classified as porcelain. I'm getting more and more requests for high gloss finishes and tile is no exception.  This beautiful tile is by Peronda.Typically porcelain tiles are denser, less porous and as a result more durable than other ceramics. You can also get them “rectified” which means crisp sharp perfectly squared edges that mean a tight fit with minimal grout lines.IS PORCELAIN THE SAME COLOR ALL THE WAY THROUGH?In the past I believed that a porcelain tile was the same color all the way through so that a small chip would be no big deal but I learned that is not always true. You CAN get something called “through-body porcelain” which means that if the tile is not glazed, the color and texture are consistent all the way through the tile. However porcelain tiles can also have surface glazes and textures that are not “through-body”.One of my favorite finds was this porcelain tile by Aparici.  It combines glossy and matte.  Digital images printed on tile allows limitless choices WHERE DOES IT GO?Tiles used for exterior applications are porcelain but not all porcelain tiles are recommended to be used outside. Generally you can put just about any type of tile on the wall but you’re much better off with porcelain on the floor for durability. Remember, although beautiful, glossy finishes are always more slippery than honed, or matte finishes.  Got it? Good.  Since you made it all the way to the end, I have a special treat for you.HETTANGIAN-LORIENT_AMB copy Next Tile Tuesday: Uncovering Valencia with Tile of Spain, perhaps another video slideshow??

Tile Tuesday: Parente to Parasol, Old Tradition-New Expression

Welcome to the second installment of the Tile Tuesday series! If you missed part one you can find it right here.  If there is one big takeaway from last week's post it is that there are two sides to Sevilla, the constant play between old and new.We were able to really dig in to both aspects on our Tile of Spain tour of Sevilla led by architect Gonzalo Cantos.2015-02-08 12.29.17 As we explored not only tile but the culture from which it originates, we were constantly presented with old and new, separate but not entirely mutually exclusive.  What came before certainly influences the contemporary production.Isabel Parente Later in the series we will take a look at modern state-of-the- art tile production in Spain but today I want to introduce you to a true old world style artisan, living and working in Sevilla.  Meet Isabel Parente.  We visited the studio where she creates her handmade tile and custom glazes.  By the way, did you know that most ceramic glazes used today come from Spain?eJZ0uVz5PrSrDUm3Q1jrlHjn_3-qSKhx-P7cKWM01hULAYspN Isabel is mostly self-taught but briefly attended art school in Sevilla, followed by an internship in Perugia, Italy.  She demonstrated a few different traditional methods including hand painting.  Her practice includes the creation of new commissions as well as restoration.Beautiful tile samples at Ceramica Isabel Parente It is interesting to note that with old world techniques (she doesn't even utilize a computer), Isabel is addressing the very current trend towards personalization.  You can't get much more custom than what she does!This is where the transformation happens. Isabel does not see the true color of her glazes until ceramics go through the firing process in the kiln. Just about a five minute walk from Isabel's studio you will find Encarnacion Square, the oldest part of Seville and home to one of its most controversial residents, Metropol Parasol.  I posted our visit to Parasol in real-time.  If you were one of those who wondered exactly what this was, today's your lucky day. Metropol ParasolEncarnacion Square was home to a neighborhood market starting in the 19th century up until the 1970s when the area began to languish.  Excavation to create a parking lot in the 1990s uncovered ancient Roman ruins below! Ancient Roman ruins below the Metropol ParasolIt wasn't until 2004 that the city decided to develop the property. Architect Jurgen Mayer-Hermann was selected and his Metropol Parasol was completed in 2011 at approximately double the 50 million Euro budgeted for the project. Part of the expense was due to technical flaws in his design that had to be overcome.  This paired with the fact that its unexpected dramatic  presence rubs "traditionalists" the wrong way, is what makes the Parasol a continuing subject of controversy. One "mushroom" of the Parasol joins the trees to provide much needed shade from the Spanish sun.Here's my another perspective.  Mayer-Hermann's inspiration came from the cathedral vaults of nearby Seville cathedral as well as from the large shade producing ficus trees of a neighboring park. In fact shade from the sweltering summer sun was one of his major objectives. In this way it does reference its location quite well.  The project is an excellent example of the modern Spanish architecture of undulating curves and waves.  Sevillanos refer to it as "Las Setas"(The Mushrooms).  Giant "waffles" are made of birch hardwood with a polyurethane finish. I felt cradled inside this giant structure. High but safe!The excavation and restoration of the ruins below continue.  On level zero you will find an Antiquarium where you can walk among old Roman buildings. The Parasol above is wholly supported on 8 points so as not to disturb the ruins below. On level one there is, once again, a market. The upper levels house restaurants and a meandering walkway offering various views of the city below.I will say that because of the design of the structure, I felt safely embraced on these walkways, sort of nice if you have a fear of heights!This puts things in perspective.  Photo by Fernando AldaSo what's your take?  Ugly intrusion or a dramatic blending of old and new concepts exemplifying the new Spanish architecture?Before we leave Seville I want to share my pics with you.   In addition to what I have written about here, and in part one, photos include: Plaza de España, Alfonso XIII Hotel, Royal Alcazar of Seville and Seville Cathedral.  Now go grab some sangria, kick back and enjoy the sights.Next Tile Tuesday:  On to Valencia and what I learned about tile and trends I saw at Cevisama 2015