THE BELOVED PROJECT Creating Beauty from Brokenness by Margot Cioccio “Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” DEUTERONOMY 33:12
Margot Cioccio Margot is a self taught mosaic artist. She studied fine art and graphic design in college. Many years later she began exploring mosaics in 2004 after moving from Arizona to Washington. It was during a time when much of her own life seemed shattered and broken. She found comfort in making beauty out of brokenness. She started working with tile at first until she was given a box of stained glass. She began experimenting in breaking, cutting and nipping the glass into tiles and other desired shapes. She does most of her mosaic work at home in order to be around her family. She does have a studio where she does wood cutting for projects, teaches classes and stores her collection of glass and things for future projects. Please visit Margot website for links to the various places her work is available for sale. www.mm-fractured-designs.com
Tools
My Studio Space
Home Studio
Exodus 31:1-6 Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you
Creating Art for Worship
“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” DEUTERONOMY 33:12
OVER THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING This project happened in 3 very distinct stages. • The idea and original drawing • Enlarging the drawing to a big board • Laying the Glass Margot began laying the glass for the Beloved project on May 23, 2011 and completed the project on September 29th 2011. We estimate that there are roughly 18,000 pieces of hand nipped and placed glass in the Beloved project. The Beloved Project is currently on display in the prayer loft at Spokane First Covenant Church at 212 S. Division.
THE ORIGINAL DRAWING The idea for the Beloved Project came during a church service. It was quickly sketched on a small scrap of paper. It hung on a bulletin board for about year. “I remember thinking how greatly the Lord loves His Beloved. He would share with her all that is His. We are His Beloved, we are His Bride�~Margot
IT GETS DRAWN ON A BIG BOARD Again it will sit for over a year before the next step of creating the larger drawing. You might note that the woman now looks up as one who is accepted. In the original sketch she is broken and desperate. I think the change reflects some of my own inner healing and greater level of security and acceptance. Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
The eyes are the first step Ephesians 1:18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Painting With Glass Getting the shadows and dimensional surfaces to look right is tricky. I nip the glass and try different pieces and arrangements before I glue them down.
The Beloved Project is full of Christian Symbols. In Eastern Christianity and other icon-painting Christian traditions, the icon is generally a at panel painting depicting a holy being or object such as Jesus, Mary, saints, angels, or the cross. Icons may also be cast in metal, carved in stone, embroidered on cloth, painted on wood, done in mosaic or fresco work, printed on paper or metal, etc.
Crowns You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God
Isaiah 62:3
— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3
The Lion A symbol of the King of Kings, the Right To Rule, The Tribe of Judah, Having controlled, majestic power Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.� Revelation 5:5 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Psalm 34:10
She holds a burning oil lamp a reminder of the Parable of the 10 Virgins from Matthew 25
Her gown is inspired by Psalm 45: 13-15
A reminder of the belt of truth in Ephesians 6 and the butterfly is a symbol of resurrection.
The butterflies represent resurrection and transformation in the life of a believer. The dragonflies are a symbol of baptism
Psalm 45:13-15 All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her and are brought to you. They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king.
Colors are also Symbolic His robe is in purple the color of royalty and it is lined in scarlet as a reminder of the blood of Christ that covers us. Blue, scarlet, and crimson, purple were used in fine materials in ancient time. The dye was extracted from a particularly scarce family of shellfish which made it quite valuable. Purple became a symbol of royalty and riches due to the scarcity of its dye.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins ~ Matthew 25:1-13 1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
In the Garden Text: C. Austin Miles, 1913 (Jn. 20:11-18) I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God disclose
And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own; and the joy we share as we tary there, none other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of his voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing, and the melody that he gave to me within my heart is ringing.
3. I'd stay in the garden with him though the night around me be falling, but he bids me go; thru the voice of woe his voice to me is calling.
Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Adding The Wood Frame Boarder
Grouting and Finishing
Your Beloved Lord it was You, Who created the heavens. And Lord, it was Your hands That put the stars in their place. Lord, it was Your voice That commands the morning. 'Cause even oceans and their waves bow at your feet.
Lord, who am I Compared to Your glory oh Lord Lord, who am I Compared to Your majesty?
' I'm your beloved, Your creation, And You love me as I am. You've called me, chosen For Your kingdom. Unashamed to call me your ownI'm your beloved.