Watch it! Live it! Spread the word.....

I Love this video, but we can't forget. Art doesn't require funding, it requires courage and inspiration. If we build it they will come. If they come so will the funding........ We can't let the lack of money hold us back or be an obstacle of our vision.

It's Been a long time.....

But I had to share this.

L’ATELIER D’ANTONIS LIONIS (The Making of Four Byzantine Mosaics) from fflevo on Vimeo.

Out of Touch and Out of Town

I haven't posted in a while. Life happens ! I have been on a couple of trips (both Mosaic related) and I am looking forward to another in January! My first trip was to Bell Buckle TN in Sept. where I attended at class at my friend Sherri Warner Hunter's studio. Steve Koerner was the visiting instructor giving us a taste of his technique in Flying Concrete. We had a blast! and started construction on Sherri's new wavy, curvy garden shed. Here is a pic of the class/work crew. It doesn't look very curvy here but trust me it will when complete. About 2/3 of it has a barrel vaulted ceiling and the entrance end is a dome.

This shed is a work in progress and I know that Sherri looks forward to many more classes that include her garden shed. Check out Steve's website for more on Flying concrete. I love his "wavy curvy" construction style. He lives in San Miguel and offers classes there. I hope to visit someday.

Sherri's studio is located in Bell Buckle TN. I LOVE it there! I've had the opportunity to hang out there a couple of times and I know I will go back. Eclectic, arty, and down home. You never know who you will meet and I guarantee you will love them all. This trip I finally got to meet J.L. Nippers a cool folk artist living in the hills of Tennessee. I wanted to buy a piece of art from him and ended up with a couple. Brought me home a lime green gator and a tree full of Blackbirds. That's not the best part. I spent 3 hours with him and his wife. They are the sweetest folks you'll ever meet. I just got a Christmas card from them! They been married for 52 years!

I could go on and on. Maybe another day! Enjoy

One Remarkable Woman

Small Planet - Ilana Shafir

Throughout our lifetime we meet many people, among them there are those we know the instant we meet them our lives will change. My introduction to Ilana was one such meeting. She carries with her a rich history. It is as evident in her presence as in her art. At 84 years old she is as passionate today as ever sharing her technique of Spontaneous Mosaics through instructional classes and speaking engagements around the world.

I have always felt that mosaic artists are not taken seriously in the world of fine art. We do not have our own category to jury in and we are forced to select mixed media or assemblage. Mosaicists are often seen as hobbyists or craftsman who duplicate the work of the "real" artist. This duplication process has taken place for centuries and is a skilled craft done by very talents artisans and this is why we are often not seen as artists. During my first conversation with Ilana, she said was “If we (mosaic artists) are to become accepted into the fine art world we must be willing to push our materials beyond their traditional use and then they can not be ignored and we will not be looked at a craftsmen alone. We will be artists.” OMG I just wanted to hug her! I want to be her when I am her age. Brilliantly composing art from buckets of broken junk. ahh the good life!

Mosaics in Mexico

The People for the University, the University for the People.
Designed by David Alfaro Siqueios
Mosaic by the Perdomo Family Workshop

Detail

As the North American Distributor of Perdomo Smalti I am happy to announce the opening of Mosaics In Mexico in Cuernavaca, Mexico where our smalti is produced.

An extension of the Perdomo Family's Workshop, Mosaics In Mexico provides intermediate, professional and advanced mosaic workshops. With over 80 years experience in fabricating fine art smalti murals, MVM shares their unique artistic methods and passion for mosaic. Enjoy perfect weather, cultural arts and amazing food while advancing your smalti mosaic skills.

Workshops include "Modern Mosaics: An Exploration of Color & Texture" , "Smalti Intensive - Intermediate Level" and "Mosaic Portraiture - Intermediate/Professional Level". Visit http://www.mosaicsinmexico.com/ or contact info@MosaicsInMexico.com for more information. To keep posted on offrings, sign up for their newsletter!

Stained Glass Mosaics with a Story

"That darn Fly" Barbara Keith

"Late Afternoon in Winter" Barbara Keith

Barbara Keith has a way with stained glass in mosaics. The birches above are subtle and simple in feel, yet it draws you in and makes you feel like you can step right in. Like Alice in the looking glass. Which brings me to her other creations. She has illustrated several nursery rhymes and turned them into a book. "The Girls and Boys of Mother Goose" . The illustrations in mosaic are classic with a twist. A beautiful way to visit Little Bo Peep.

Mixing It Up

Table by Robin Herskowitz and Daughter

How cool is this table? I absolutely love it. Great mixed media mosaic and functional too! I always have a hard time combining a lot of different materials. I love the way it looks but I never do it. Looks like I have found myself a new challenge for me next open day in the studio. Is this a challenge you need to take?

Big Things Down Under

Telescopus – by Dominic Johns

I had the pleasure of meeting Dom at the 2008 SAMA conference held this past March in Miami. From Parramatta Park, Australia, Dominic is just a great guy and definitely passionate about everything he does, as you can tell by his loving embrace of his newest work.

Upon completion this is what Dom has to say: Telescopus is in and I’m feeling very happy now. This project has been approx 1000 hours to bring to fruition and now I’m ready for the next one. Moving the work was a tense experience, but we managed to do it without breaking anything. So get down to the Cairns Esplanard 'nard’ opposite 181 The Esplanade and check it out. The cut face glows in the dark!

Resurrection Complete

I did it! I finished the bird bath. Resurection complete! It is not the prettiest mosaic I have ever done but it is the most fun I have had in a while. I love it's folky quality. It reminds me of one you would have seen at an old cottage up north in the 40's. Have fun! Talk to Stones!

Outdoor Living with Mosaics

Mosaic Bar-b-que by Clara Nelson

Detail 2

Detail 2

This mosaic border recently completed by Clara Nelson of Palm Springs, CA is sure to be the focal point of the the newly finished bar-b-que. The project is located in Flagstaff, AZ. Clara used the local local flora as inspiration. The sunflowers and aspen leaves, pine cones, and the phases of the moon from left to right. She used Cinca Unglazed Porcelain, half marbles and dicroic glass for some bling.

I can smell steaks for years to come!