For my upcycling project, I have chosen to create a wood mosaic art piece that embodies a Rustic Modern aesthetic. I will craft this piece using leftover firewood from my backyard, which has been sitting unused for years, as shown in Figure 1. By repurposing this material, I aim to transform discarded wood into a unique and visually appealing piece of art.

Figure 1: Firewood in my backyard that will be used for this project.

I selected firewood for this project because my home features numerous wood-accented pieces, and I am naturally drawn to rustic design elements. However, my style is not entirely rustic but rather a blend of modern and rustic aesthetics, best described as Modern Rustic. This style merges the clean lines and geometric patterns of modern design with the organic warmth and texture of rustic materials. In Post 1, I discussed this aesthetic in more detail, but to summarize:

  • Modern design emphasizes simplicity, sleek forms, and structured geometry.
  • Rustic design highlights natural materials, warm tones, and a rugged charm.

A wood mosaic aligns perfectly with this aesthetic, as it allows me to integrate structured patterns with the raw beauty of natural wood. Additionally, these art pieces are often very expensive, typically ranging from $500 to over $1,000, making this project an excellent opportunity to create a high-end decorative piece at a fraction of the cost. Furthermore, I have always had a passion for woodworking, so this project is an exciting way to reignite my creativity and craftsmanship while learning new skills.

 

Figure 2: Elemental Wood Mosaic Wall Panel $599.00 [1]
Figure 2 showcases one of the examples of a wood mosaic that I will be referencing for this project. I find this piece very appealing with the various angles and glossy finish of the wood. The contrast between the angles and the polished surface creates a dynamic visual effect.

 

Figure 3: Mosaic Wood Wall Art $644.14+ [2]
Figure 3 shows another example of a mosaic that I will be referencing for this project. This one is slightly different than the first example because the individual wood blocks are not cut at angles but rather a straight cut. The artist makes this piece visually appealing by making each of the blocks different heights so that it adds dimension. This piece also uses various warm tones and lays them out from dark to light.

 

Figure 4: Rustic Wood Wall Art $1,040.00+ [3]
Figure 4 demonstrates the last example that I will be referencing for this project. This piece incorporates the combined methods of the first two examples. This artist used stain in addition to a woodburning technique to achieve the various warm tones that are seen. This method I am taking into consideration for my project.

Overall, I will be utilizing the various methods that are used in these examples to achieve the Rustic Modern aesthetic for my wood mosaic piece. I will focus on achieving a geometric pattern, enhancing the wood’s warm tones through staining and possibly woodburning, and creating depth with various heights and angles with the individual wood blocks.

 

References

[1] Elemental Wood Wall Panel

[2] Mosaic Wood Wall Art

[3] Rustic Wood Wall Art

 

2 Comments. Leave new

  • This will be a great addition to your rustic/wood accents at home – and very much a “Colorado” sort of look. There seems to be a lot you can do to affect coloring of individual pieces like you mentioned – staining, burning, etc. I’m interested to see what pattern you incorporate. What are your ideas for putting all the individual pieces together? Will you attach them to a backboard or just glue them all side-by-side?

    • Taylor Wittwer
      January 31, 2025 9:00 am

      Thank you, Seth! My plan right now is to glue them to a backboard, and then I can have a hook on the back to hang onto the wall. I possibly may glue them together in addition to the backboard if it doesn’t feel stable.

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