Rock Tapestries in Mexico Feature Precast Concrete Pebbles

These beautiful mosaics were made with precast concrete pebbles as well as beach rocks. They’re the work of Jay Manning and Concreations Inc., Bigfoot, Mont.

These beautiful mosaics were made with precast concrete pebbles as well as beach rocks. They’re the work of Jay Manning and Concreations Inc., Bigfoot, Mont.

Jay explains: “We primarily do those in Los Cabos, Mexico (where these phots were taken). I really tried to push them up in Montana, but they never really caught on. We do a lot of them here in Mexico in large vacation homes.

The rock tapestries are all hand-laid from a computer-generated stencil very similar to the stencils used in Flattoo designs on concrete.

“The rock tapestries are all hand-laid from a computer-generated stencil very similar to the stencils used in Flattoo designs on concrete. They are done on 1/4-inch plywood with the design cut out. Then we lay a bed of polymer-fortified mortar and lay the design.

“The next day we fill in the field, usually with a much lighter-colored stone. Most are done with real beach rocks, but some of them we do with rocks that we fabricate with concrete in molds that we made with polyurethane. “They are surprisingly comfortable to walk on — almost a massaging effect on the feet. Also, we usually install a drain within the tapestry for easy cleaning.

“My inspiration for doing these was some old Greek architecture books I’ve seen them in.”

They are surprisingly comfortable to walk on — almost a massaging effect on the feet. Also, we usually install a drain within the tapestry for easy cleaning.

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