Juror's Choice, Mosaic Arts International 2007, "Bosphorus Dockside"
I was never a painter; brushes and paint never called to me. Pastels have appeal, but only to flesh out my color schemes for a composition. I think I gravitated to mosaic because the medium seemed to fit well with my graphic design background. When I discovered the myriad choices of materials that one can use as tesserae, I couldn’t wait to get up from my computer desk and out to the studio to smash, chop, and form pieces to put into a work of art.
For my paint, I select from the rich colors of smalti and various ceramic glazes. The subtle coloration of natural stone adds contrast and texture. Wire and metal add an additional shiny component.
I found I could use my design skills to create art for myself as well as for clients who dictate the content. Instead of designing a brochure for someone, I now design a floor, a backsplash, or a mural.
I derive satisfaction from working in an art form with an ancient tradition. Although my work is contemporary and abstract, it pleases me to work with simple tools, in a process that is inherently painstaking and slow. Our lives today move too fast. Creating mosaic art forces me to slow down—if only for just a few hours a day!
—Lynn Adamo