Our last company for the week is another gem from America. Founded in 1986, Whistling Frog is the creation of artist Rick Pruckler. With previous experience in mural installations and the art of ceramics, Whilstling Frog came about as means to let Pruckler’s creativity run riot. Forming custom glazes and variety of tile making techniques, pieces incorporating elements of nature and stark contrasts began to … Continue reading Whilstling Frog
Today we bring you another artist with keen tiling senses. With a mind full of lively creativity and an artistic bent, it is the art of cuerda seca that Laura Drifford now seeks to master. Most materials used in the creation of Drifford’s work are recycled, including tiles and reclaimed wood. Using these unloved, wasted items give them a new decorative role, becoming unique items … Continue reading Cie La Maleta
There is a focus on material and beauty over trend at Tabarka Studio. Inspired by the search for “an elusive tile in a centuries-old basement shop in Istanbul”, the expansion of Tabarka has taken its founders across the globe in search for authentic charm, finding elegance amongst the mundane and delight in the unexpected. Despite beginning with a passion for terracotta (a humble material still … Continue reading Tabarka Studio
Many of De Ferranti’s materials replicate the style of historic buildings in Rome and Athens, often reviving decorative techniques – such as Scagliola, Opus Sectile and Cocciopesto – that are in danger of being lost. Other surfaces, such as Jali work, are collected from diverse locations across the globe. Continue reading Achieving Alchemy
Near Barcelona there is a a small group of artists called BenSu that still decorate tiles by hand using the Majolica Method. Three different types of clay bisque are used, coated with an opaque glaze-base, hand decorated and then fired at 980ºC. Continue reading Catalan Culture Captured
Peronda’s Harmony brand has established a trailblazing reputation in design. It offers a wide variety of products for surfaces of all kinds: from mosaics to a rich assortment of decorative products including natural stone and hand-made pieces, that can bring a distinctive personality to any interior. Continue reading Peronda Personified
If the UK has Banksy, Italy has Tiler. This reclusive Genovese street artist’s creations have been popping on the walls of the city for many months. Created from painted tiles, Tiler’s installations have appeared suddenly in many different areas of the port. Continue reading Genovese Graffiti
The tiles for the painstaking restoration of the magnificent floors of St George’s Hall, Liverpool, were manufactured by Craven Dunnill Jackfield; the only company in the world capable of manufacturing such complex encaustic tiles. Continue reading Majestic Minton Makeover
Marianne Smink designs and makes screen-printed ceramic tiles, and digitally-printed wallpapers. Her aim is to achieve beauty through the inherent imperfection of hand-made work, drawing on the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi. Continue reading Inherent Imperfection
Paul Portelli was a man who pursued his passions with skill and vigour; be they vintage Spitfires, the Skylon or his retail baby, World’s End Tiles. Continue reading Paul Portelli: A Tribute
The Reptile style is pattern; the more of the better. Classic images, such as a modern interpretation of Delft tiles, plus the ever-popular nautical themes, birds and animals are central to the standard portfolio. Continue reading Reptile Romantics
At the Tile UK Awards 2000, Katy’s Line won the award for Best Wall Tile for Arché, a stunning series of porcelain tiles featuring Etruscan and Egyptian relief motifs picked out in gold. Continue reading Etruscan Exhibit
Kaza Concrete’s Florentin tile is based on the kind of medieval architectural ornamentation used in monastery cloisters. Continue reading Tetragonal Florets
Ten years ago art teacher Mark Aldridge decided to change careers, taking his art to the nation in the form of hand painted tiles. Then based in Stamford, Lincolnshire, the Fine Art graduate took on a small industrial unit and started from scratch; making the tiles by hand, decorating them with his own glazes, then completing them with fine drawings of flora and fauna before firing. Continue reading There’s No Smoke Without Fire
