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?

The Big Clock

Big Clock detail

The Big Clock - Kim Wozniak

It is amazing how these tiny tile almost give the appearance of reptile skin. The Big Clock measures 36" accoss and is one of my favorite projects. It hangs proudly above the sofa. It is one of those compelling reclamation projects. I found it, got inspired and I wasn't happy until I finished it (2 days and very little sleep later). I purchased the clock for only $20.00. The plaster surface of the frame was damaged and couldn't be repaired (or so they thought). I filled in the large hole of missing plaster and covered it in tile, and waalaa.

I think it is a classic example of why I love mosaics and mosaic artists. We either use our broken treasures as tile or tile our broken treasures.

Micro tile from another's View.

Mosaic Vanity - LeeAnne Wooten

Mosaic Backspash - Jane Robinson

Even though I sell these beautiful tiny tiles, I've rarely used them myself. I love them but somehow they don't speak to me first when I make my material selection. Today cleaning out email I ran across a couple of projects created with these little gems that make me want to revisit that approach.

Micro Tile or Tiny tile are 3/8" square glazed high fire porcelain. You are probably most familiar with these tiles as the surface material used on coffee tables, ash trays and trivets of the 50's and 60's. Glazes ranging from subtle shades to bright and bold and even gold and silver metallic. (These are my favorites!) See the big Clock!

Make Art! Have Fun!

Circus Iron by KG Greenstein

As mosaic artists sometimes I think we take things a little to seriously. Our materials, our process, and our finished work. Today I received a message from KG Greenstein of KG Studios in Oakland CA. A visit to the website included in the note reminded me that serious art does not need to serious, Maybe we need to get out of our trained adult trousers and into our kindergarten smocks once in a while and just have fun. You never know what we might come up with.