by Teresa Taylor Teresa makes a mosaic of Madeleine ...look deeply into the mask..." Autism found its way into our family six years ago. Our beautiful first born, Madeleine, was diagnosed at three years of age.
Autism has a very wide spectrum, and every individual with autism has unique traits. My latest mosaic is my daughter's face. I yearned for a way to show the world her prison, and her beauty at the same time.
This piece is titled, "The Face of Autism".
Madeleine was a very patient model, whilst I rigid wrapped her face, despite her issues with tactile sensitivity. Once the rigid wrap dried, I put flexbond mortar on it, and then a cement slurry. Once it cured, I proceeded to mosaic.
I started with the interior.
Inside the mask, I put many pieces of mirror, along with two large pieces which I first shattered, then added them in. This is to symbolize the shattered way someone with autism may view their surroundings, how their understanding may be warped, not perceived correctly.
The rest of the mirror is in a way to show that when someone gazes in, they see their own reflection, to which I say, not much difference between that person and the autistic individual in the immediate glimpse shown, eh?
Sometimes the feelings of sadness and isolation are paralysing. The front of the mask is full of emotions. One eye, done in mirror, is to show that sometimes looking into the eyes of the affected individual, they are glazed over, and you cannot get a response.
The other eye is shut and weeping. for them, and they do not allow anyone to become close. There are many, many, many tears.
The various colour of tile is for all the mood swings that can happen at the drop of a hat. Displaying fear and anxiety that grips and controls them. Flowers show that despite the rigid look, beautiful things are shown.
One just needs to know how to see them.
The dichroic glass if for colours of the rainbow, my daughter absolutely loves rainbows, and has been drawing them for years. The white and pink flowers signify their vulnerability and innocence, in an aggressive world.
They may seem to be cold people, but they are purely innocent.
The rest of the flowers are because, Madeleine said to me , "mommy, put more flowers on my mask! more!" And, of course, I did. Madeleine fills our days with rainbows and flowers. We are blessed to have her. Teresa "Taylor Made Mosaics"
Let the sun shine in, face it with a grin........
Mosaic Addicts
If you wish to contact Teresa or discuss her story, please email me and I will pass your email to Teresa.
Teresa's story belongs to Teresa and Madeline....if it touches you let Teresa and Madeline know..... . |
April is Autism Awareness month in USA.
Madeleine said to me , "mommy, put more flowers on my mask! more!" And, of course, I did. Madeleine fills our days with rainbows and flowers. We are blessed to have her.
The front of the mask is full of emotions...sometimes the feelings of sadness and isolation are paralysing Flowers show that despite the rigid look, beautiful things are shown..
There are many, many, many tears.
Madeleine said to me , "mommy, put more flowers on my mask! more!" My eight year old served as the model, and of course as some of you know, the inspiration. Madeleine was very patient while I rigid wrapped her face and waited for it to dry, bless her!...then I put flexbond on the mask followed by a cement slurry. Once the slurry cured, I proceeded to mosaic. On the inside I put many pieces of mirror, along with two large pieces which I shattered. This is to symbolize the shattered way someone with autism may view their The rest of the mirror is in a way to show that when someone looks in, they see their own reflection, and to which I say, there is not much difference between that person and the autistic individual in the immediate glimpse shown? The front of the mask is just crammed full. I was so into putting the various meanings in there, that by the time I looked up, it was VERY full. (Sandy Adds Here: we all understand about mosaic inspiration..) One eye is done with a little mirror, because sometimes looking into the eyes of the affected individual, the eyes are glazed over and you cannot get a response. The other eye is shut and... weeping. Sometimes the feelings of sadness and isolation are paralysing for them, and they do not allow anyone to become close. There are many, many, many tears. The colours represent the mood swings that happen at the drop of a hat. The darker colour the fear and anxiety that grips and controls. Flowers on the front of the face soften a rigid look, beautiful things are shown. Flowers on the side of face? .. well, I had asked my daughter what I should put there, and she said, She loves flowers. So, I did. Put several. Dichroic is there, just because I really like it and wanted to incorporate it somehow. It fit in also, with the rainbow colours.... Madeleine also loves rainbows. Sandy's note: Hi Madeline...what a beautiful gift your mum has made for you! You must have sat so still for the mask to have come out so beautifully! Well done! Your story will touch so many Madeline and I send you loads of love, laughter and kisses from the beautiful land Downunder! xxxx let all your tears be of joy and keep on making mosaics with mum. The photos of the rainbow mosaic child art and peace pot are for Madeline! Madeline, I have driven through many rainbows and I am trying to find a very special picture for you that I took a few years ago. As soon as I do, I will send it to you, it is now your own special rainbow. I read a story recently of an artist who was a pilot, who flew through rainbows...this was my reply - Flying through rainbows. Please send your feelings on this beautiful story to me and I will collate a page of responses. If anyone out there has a mosaic related story to tell, humorous, deep and meaningful or just something that needs to be told, please email me. Mosaic art touches all hearts, minds and souls. Use your hands to make a mosaic story. Feel the tingling up your spine and the heart glow as your passion overflows into your 'art. Perhaps we could all send Madeline good wishes and a rainbow or flower mosaic for her bedroom? Find time in your busy lives to be compassionate...find time to care...don't get road rage...think of the other person... Did they forget to indicate for a reason: are they well? did they receive bad news? are they pregnant, elderly, new in town, lost, unhappy, excited...just get their license? ....take a moment to put yourself in the driver's seat...calm down, care, be there! Look out round the world for the mosaic hubcaps....if you spy one, send your picture..to find out more about hubcaps on the roll visit OzMosaics new yahoo group forum and have a ball! Sandy HOME PAGE |
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