Dolphins in the kitchen? Lynne Meade Porcelain can do anything

Lynne Meade of Lynne Meade Porcelain in Oakland, CA was recently contacted by a client who hoped to bring her favorite ocean creature into her kitchen. Lynne shares the client’s request and walks us through the one-on-one process of ordering custom made ceramics – from trying out a design in your home for a few days to delivery and installation!

“Hi Lynne,
I met you at the Palo Alto show and would love to have you do a tile mosaic for my kitchen with a dolphin. We spoke about this at the fair. Okay this is what I am thinking… kind of. Can you please contact me?”

A client's inspiration...dolphins for a kitchen backsplash!

It seemed like an interesting challenge, so I started drawing. After a few attempts, she loved this design.

Lynne creates a dolphin-inspired design

I sent her a full scale drawing which she then hung in place. I like people to see the drawing in place and live with it for a little while, just so we can be sure that the design really looks good in the space. Since most of my clients are not local to me, it helps me in the design process to see a photo of the setting.

We can then figure out if any changes need to be made.

Lynne sends a sketch so her clients can make sure they feel at home with the design in its intended space

Below are photos of the process.

I started out by cutting each tile by hand. In order to insure that they dried flat, without any warping, they had to be dried for four weeks between pieces of cut up wall board.

Tiles cut to fit

Once that was done I could start carving, firing, and glazing.

Carved tiles ready to be glazed and fired!

Before glaze firing

whew, It's HOT in here

In the kiln after the glaze firing

Ready to Ship!

Before sending the mural off to the customer, I glue each tile to mesh so that it can be installed easily. This way I avoid aggravating installers. I have trouble putting these things back together after they come out of the kiln. And I designed it. I’d hate to think of some poor installer trying to figure it out. So I try to make it as easy as possible for them. I also find that it helps keep the cost of installation more reasonable.

And here is the final project installed:

The final project fits swimmingly in the space!

I love working with clients’ ideas and interests. It stretches me as an artist and pushes me to go in directions I wouldn’t have considered on my own. I find that I always learn something which gives me more tools at my disposal for future projects. I also love working on a larger scale. It’s fun to make something that changes and enhances a space like this. I typically work on smaller, more intimate pieces such as vases and bowls so it’s wonderful to think on a different scale.

Ceramicist Lynne Meade is based out of Oakland, California. Her hand-carved tiles, murals, and vessels fit seamlessly into most decor styles, from traditional to contemporary, and are created with a specific client’s space in mind. Like Lynne’s wave designs? Reach out to Lynne if her stuff speaks to you! Feel free to comment below.