Mobile
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Tech Teeter tiler: Thomas Thoune
Posted By Desiree Kane on Wed, May 29, 2013 at 6:30 AM
The gems in Charlotte's crown are many, and tile artistan Thomas Thoune is one of them.
Walking around Plaza Midwood with photo journalist Grant Baldwin and video journalist Kevin Beaty the other day, we stumbled upon his workshop: the front yard of his studio.
Photo: Grant Baldwin Photography
Mr. Thoune has been working for months on the art that will unveil today at the new Harris Teeter on The Plaza.
Photo: Grant Baldwin Photography
His textural, colorful and intricate repurposed tile art is spectacular and can be seen in many areas of town. He's got pieces that you can go up and touch along the light rail, the most accessible being up near Price's Chicken Coop and Phat Burrito in South End. It's great fun to go up and touch what you can easily identify as once tea cups, saucers, fine porcelain china and more.
Photo: charmeck.org
He studied in Europe and refined his process, which uses a production style that doesn't require the pieces to be fired in a kiln like most pottery or tile. In fact, it's more like grout that we all have in our homes.
Video: Kevin Beaty
Early in the planning process, he put a call out to the community for old porcelain and tile when he began creating art for the grocery store. He got beautiful vintage souvenir whiskey Jim Beam bottles via donation that have real gold plating on them, and these were broken into pieces then re-worked into stunning works of tile art that will be visible for everyone to enjoy.
The new Harris Teeter opens today.
Walking around Plaza Midwood with photo journalist Grant Baldwin and video journalist Kevin Beaty the other day, we stumbled upon his workshop: the front yard of his studio.
Photo: Grant Baldwin PhotographyMr. Thoune has been working for months on the art that will unveil today at the new Harris Teeter on The Plaza.
Photo: Grant Baldwin PhotographyHis textural, colorful and intricate repurposed tile art is spectacular and can be seen in many areas of town. He's got pieces that you can go up and touch along the light rail, the most accessible being up near Price's Chicken Coop and Phat Burrito in South End. It's great fun to go up and touch what you can easily identify as once tea cups, saucers, fine porcelain china and more.
Photo: charmeck.orgHe studied in Europe and refined his process, which uses a production style that doesn't require the pieces to be fired in a kiln like most pottery or tile. In fact, it's more like grout that we all have in our homes.
Video: Kevin Beaty
Early in the planning process, he put a call out to the community for old porcelain and tile when he began creating art for the grocery store. He got beautiful vintage souvenir whiskey Jim Beam bottles via donation that have real gold plating on them, and these were broken into pieces then re-worked into stunning works of tile art that will be visible for everyone to enjoy.
The new Harris Teeter opens today.
For more commentary, follow me on Twitter @dbirdy, for more photos peep my Flickr and to see all videos, subscribe to my YouTube channel here!
Related Stories
-
Barnstormers! Street art gone barn around Cameron, N.C.
Two hours from Charlotte, these barns aren't close to towns or landmarks
-
Where to find regional grits 1
A true grit update
-
Loving the little things: Charlotte
Feeling lovey-dovey for our Queen.
Speaking of...
Latest in Wayfaring Tech Nomad
-
Best North Carolina memes for 2014 (so far)
May 16, 2014 -
St. John, Antigua and ... an active volcano?
Apr 29, 2014 -
Kids get all the cool stuff: DIY.org
Apr 16, 2014 - More »
More by Desiree Kane
-
BlendConf: Just what Charlotte's tech environment needs
Aug 21, 2014 -
Misappropriating Native American culture is not entertainment
May 22, 2014 -
Best North Carolina memes for 2014 (so far)
May 16, 2014 - More »
