What designs are popular in decorative hand painted tile? The popular designs vary, but animals such as bees and dogs are popular. Well, the tiles with beehives and bees on it are very popular. I have...
Well, the tiles with beehives and bees on it are very popular. I have been doing that design for about six years now, and it is on my website and in my brochure. It continues to be a certain favorite. I use it for my advertising, as well. People also like to have tile murals of their houses, including those of their children and their pets. They want me to make it very, very personal to them. So people send me sketch drafts of their homes and things that they want to include and I make the mural. Most of the murals go behind the cookers or big range cookers in peoples' kitchens. There is a big difference with hand painted tile, because it is not something you are just buying at an ordinary tile shop. I also design plates for weddings, christenings, anniversaries, and retirements. Since weddings are the most popular, people send me pictures of the bride and groom and tell me the things they are interested in. If they are interested in skiing or golf, I can include that on the design.
I am working on something right now. I am not sure really what it is commemorating, but I was sent a picture of four friends. They want me to depict them on a beach in Scotland wearing kilts with a Labrador dog while they all drink whisky. They sent me a little sketch, a very basic sketch of how they wanted it to look. So, I am trying to replicate that. They want their names on it and Whisky Galore written on the top.
I have been asked to do just about everything. I have been asked to paint people naked. I once had to sketch a naked man running a marathon. It was all part of some private joke. I was not sure what that was about! I have been asked to do some very, very strange things. You know, people will send me a long list of things they want included. I once had to do a plate with ten things. They wanted a woman walking her dogs with a Tie Pagoda in the background and soldiers standing on a hill far away with some swans. I do not know what they were all about really, but I am sure there is a story behind all of them. I don't ask questions. If it makes them happy, I'm happy.
