abstract art – Charlie Rees

Upcoming Auction

I am placing six of my stained glass mosaics for sale. The auction will take place on Ebay, August 6 to August 10.

The mosaics are from my series, Each Piece Has a History. These mosaics are set and framed in vintage pieces such as silver plated trays, ceramic plates and old mirrors. They show signs of their past use, making them unique, one of a kind. Somebody, somewhere, sometime handled these objects. They have a history.

The reserve bid for Each Piece includes a stand and shipping. For shipping outside of the continental United States, there is a fee of $30. If you have questions, please email me at charlie@charliereesart.com.

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The Polish Horses

Each mosaic is composed of stained glass, set and framed in a ceramic dinner plate, made in Poland for Crate and Barrel. The white rim with the cobalt blue trim, frames and enhances the mosaic. The mosaic is 12” in diameter. The reserve bid for each mosaic is set at $100.

Norfolk’s Horse

The mosaic, Norfolk’s Horse, is composed of stained glass and set and framed in a silver plated tray made by the Rogers Company. The mark, Norfolk, is stamped on the back of the tray. The wide rim with patina frames the mosaic and adds a sculptural effect to the piece. The mosaic is 16 inches in length and 11.75 inches in width. The Reserve bid is set at $150.

The Ballerinas

Two ballerinas

The mosaic, Two Ballerinas, is set in a two sided vanity mirror. It is two mosaics in one. The mirror is on a swivel and rotates. The mosaic is composed of stained glass. The stand with the floral design turns the mosaic into a small sculpture. The mosaic, measuring from the base of the stand, is 12.5 inches in height. The reserve bid is set at $150.

The Iron Stone Ballerinas

Each mosaic is set in an iron stone, sapphire plate made in Japan. The mosaics are composed of stained glass. The blue rim is hand painted and compliments the stained glass. The reserve bid for each mosaic is set at $100.

Each Piece Has a History: The Mysterious, Old Brass Plate

I bought this old brass tray several years ago at the Ark, nearby my old studio in Chicago. It was my favorite junk store; a great place to search for vintage objects that have been discarded and abandoned. Many items, like the old brass tray, are dirty, tarnished or scratched. But with a good cleaning and a little care, they can be revived.

I cannot find a manufacture’s mark on the plate. Where and when it was made is a mystery. However, somebody, somewhere, at some time held and used the old brass plate. It has a history.

Before giving a new life to the plate after cleaning, I worked with a series of old, quick sketches that I did from photos of ballet dancers . The drawings were done for a show that was canceled due to the pandemic. I have reduced the sketches to simple lines, hoping to capture grace and movement.

Work on the mosaic, giving the old brass plate a facelift, starts with glass selection. After the glass and colors have been chosen, the process of cutting, fitting and gluing begins. This is a slow process as I am not working with a set template. It is a bit like working a painting. I may have a palette in mind but will decide to make changes as the mosaic evolves.

The old brass plate’s facelift is completed. It has a new look, character and its’ own identity.

The Ballerina Mosaic, Two Faces: Each Piece Has a History.

The Ballerina Mosaic has two faces, set in a vintage, two sided, vanity mirror. My guess is that the mirror is a Hollywood Regency mirror, circa 1940s to 1950s. There is an identifying mark on the inside of the base, GIM 897. The gilded frame, pedestal and base sport a floral design.

Although the mirror glass is in good condition, the patina on the frame, pedestal and base attest to a past history. Someone, some place, some time ago looked into this mirror. Although, I am giving the mirror a new life, a new purpose, there is always a past history.

The design for the ballerina came from a series of quick sketches that I did of dancers with a focus on ballerinas.

From the sketches, I reduced the figure to a simple form, a symbol for the ballerina.

The work on the mosaic starts with placing the ballerina onto the mirror and then the selecting, cutting, fitting and placing the glass begins. The first mosaic is a series of cooler tones, blues, offsetting the ballerina in white.

The second ballerina is set of vibrant yellows and reds offsetting the ballerina in black.

One Mirror, two faces.