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Contrast, color, texture. These are the three words that best describe my work. When I work with stone, I am reminded that these materials took millions of years to create. I feel like I’m part of a long continuum of life on this planet when I grip my hammer and cleave a piece of granite. I begin a piece by first having an inspiration, from nature or the built world around me. I’m always on the lookout for interesting scenes, when zoomed into with the camera become inspiration for a compelling abstract composition. With a pile of stone tesserae in front of me, I then look for just the right shiny bits of glass smalti to add contrast to the rough texture of the stone. Other elements come into play as well. Rusted steel and cast-off hardware can be the perfect focal point to a piece.

The tactile, reflective and pixilated surface of mosaics resonates deeply for me. My work is composed of line infused with meaning, the compositions are created with tessera in pebbles, stone, glass, and detritus. I strive for beauty and conceptual meaning in my work and find inspiration in oceans and lakes, topography and geological formations as well as flora and fauna. The pebbles underfoot are ancient and impart thousands of gently whispered stories when used in a mosaic.
Using both ancient and up-cycled materials gives rise to an andamento that is fully formed in the modern world, while referencing the ancient and natural worlds for guidance and inspiration. The abstracted representation of landform is an ephemeral snapshot of a landscape that becomes more evanescent with each passing year.

Unexpected emotions come from the whimsical and thoughtful humor and commentary found in my Pique-assiette mosaic installations and mosaic sculptures. My mosaics break tradition with a graphic design sensibility that comes from my first career as an illustrator and graphic designer in the entertainment industry. The legacy of past generations 
of pique-assiette mosaic artists formed my commitment to excellence with a desire to push the boundaries of technique, 
materials and subject matter. My vision is brought to life 
through an endless palette of ceramics and familiar but discarded or overlooked objects which 
have been vividly re-imagined. Whether creating a 
large public or residential site-specific installation or a tabletop 
sculpture, my mosaics will 
ensure the creation of a timeless expression of our shared world.

I am inspired by the flowers, plants and creatures that Mother Nature has produced. The variety of colors and shapes found in the natural world fascinates me. Using stained glass, beads, millefiori, smalti and my original photography under the glass, I create vibrant colorful mosaics. I have been creating art since I could pick up a pencil and draw. I graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2001 with a degree in Art. I studied every medium available to me. While I didn’t learn about mosaics in school, what I did learn I use in my mosaics. During college I was always searching for my medium. I thought Photography might be it since I have been experimenting with it since 1991, but it was missing the hands on building and creating. I made first mosaic in 2000 from a kit, it ended up in the garbage. I bought a few books to learn more and created a few pieces. In 2010, I started playing with my photography under the glass. I finally felt like I found my mediums! My work has been included in exhibits at The Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA, 1st Thursdays at the Orlando Museum of Art, Mayor’s Gallery in Orlando City Hall and CityArts Factory to name a few. I joined the Society of American Mosaic Artists Board of Trustees in 2014 and have been a member since 2011.

Vancouver BC based, international, award winning visual artist working making social commentary with large scale mosaics.

2017 SOLO EXHIBITION Heroine of a Thousand Pieces: The Judith Mosaics of Lilian Broca, Museum of Biblical Art, Dallas TX (catalogue)
2016 SOLO EXHIBITION Heroine of a Thousand Pieces: The Judith Mosaics of Lilian Broca, JD Carrier Art Gallery,Toronto, ON (catalogue)
2016 The Juror’s Choice Award, Women’s Museum of California, San Diego, CA (catalogue)
2015 SOLO EXHIBITION Heroine of a Thousand Pieces: The Judith Mosaics of Lilian Broca, Il Museo, Vancouver, BC (catalogue)
2015 Mosaic Arts International 2015, Painted Arts Bride Center, Philadelphia, PA (catalogue)
2015 Group Exhibition, A Mosaic Passover Story, Museum of Biblical Art, Dallas, TX (catalogue)
2013 Guest Artist in Group Exhibition, Gaziantep International Contemporary Mosaic Exhibition, Zeugma Museum, Gaziantep, Turkey (catalogue)
2013 Documentary Return to Byzantium: The Art and Life of Lilia

Mosaic is a art form that particularly appeals to me because of it long life and consistent beauty. Unlike most forms of art glass, tile and stone will be as vivid and beautiful centuries after it was created. The pieces I create are usually extremely time consuming and tedious but knowing most will be around long after I'm gone make it all worthwhile. The inherent beauty of glass and stone are a real joy to work with and sometimes think I owe the material for most of the appeal a finish piece exudes. On the other hand it's not uncommon for me to go to a natural setting and create a one hour piece using gathered elements from what the environment provides. These are usually whimsy and free flow and when I walk away I know I shall never see them again. At the end of the day it's really about having fun and assembling many individual pieces and making them come together to create a whole. I try not to take myself too seriously and keep creativity and fun central goals although this has been a challenge on a few projects.

For me mosaic is a form of magic. The process of breaking down large sheets of glass, finding that perfect glass for each small piece, that just right hue, level of transparency and surface texture that will speak to what I’m trying to say with this glass “brush stroke.” The medium is always a joy and a challenge, cutting the perfect shape and size tesserae to create that feeling. The overall theme of my artwork is a resolute celebration of this life; of our world, both our creations and of natural things.

Beauty is not necessarily about something being perfect or whole.. Perhaps this is why I am so drawn to the medium of mosaic. Individual fragments, imperfect and broken, are combined in such a way as to reveal a rich tapestry for the senses. This is done by contrasting elements of light and shadow, shape and texture, brilliant color and muted tones, spontaneity and balance through the language of mosaic.

David's mosaics are also influenced by his early years growing up on a small farm in South Texas, his love for nature and wildlife, the history and culture of indigenous people of the Americas and the Sami of Lapland. Other interests include ancient rock art in West Texas, aboriginal art of Australia, shamanism, spirituality, sacred geometry, and storytelling. Most recently, the theme of brokenness from personal loss, healing, beginning anew, and celebrating life is being explored.

David maintains a studio practice in San Antonio where he completes commissions and teaches mosaic workshops.

Since 2001 Lynne Chinn has been designing, creating and installing large scale, one-of-a-kind mosaic art pieces for designers, architects, public art committees, liturgical clients, art consultants and homeowners. Her most recent installation was a 6’w x 9’h Italian smalti mosaic Icon at Mt. Angel Abbey in Oregon.

Lynne was recognized as ‘Best In Show’; Mosaic Arts International 2009, an international juried exhibition of contemporary mosaic art, and was honored with ‘Finalist; for Fine Mosaic Technique and Originality of Expression’ in the coveted Orsoni Prize 2007, International Award for Mosaic Fine Art.
Within this ancient art form, Lynne believes in using the finest materials in conjunction with the most up-to-date installation tools, products and techniques to create her surprisingly modern and enduring works of art.
In her three-dimensional glass mosaic work, she is using the tesserae and it’s andamento to create a beautiful and exciting artwork, keeping motion and texture in mind. She finds enjoyment in the juxtaposition between her natural, soft-edged sculptural forms and the straight and hard reflective glass.

Lynne’s inspired fine art mosaics are represented in private homes and in public places all over the United States, Japan, Australia, France and Canada.

Mosaics tell the stories of the little treasures within as they blend together into works of love and art. They are conversations between elements and artist, where edges may be adjusted, but nothing is truly forced into place.

I work in mixed media with a strong focus on mosaics. I use a wide variety of materials in my work, including natural, foraged and found items such as sea glass, bone, driftwood and stone. My use of color is widely variable, from muted and earth toned to bright and psychedelic hues. Where mosaic work tends to be structured and planned, I try to incorporate spontaneity and serendipity within my pieces. I am particularly focused on surface design and pushing the boundaries of sculpture with unconventional and re-purposed materials.

Much of my artwork is abstract in style and form, reflecting my lifelong interest in tribal art and artifacts from around the world. I was born and raised in a seaside town, and the ocean has been a powerful, repetitive theme through most every piece of art I have made. In addition, I like to create “color and texture memories” of places I’ve visited over the years, and to explore macro and micro-environments in nature.

London based international award winning artist Gary Drostle specializes in large scale mosaics to commission for interior and exterior floors, walls and mosaic sculptures.
AWARDS:-
2016 NEW AWARDS! – National Railways Heritage Craft Skills Award
2015 Chester Civic Awards, Commended Public Realm Refurbishment
2015 2nd prize in the Prix Picassiette, Chartres, France
2014 Mosaic Arts International, Houston TX – 'Contemporary Innovation in Mosaic' award
2013 Mosaic Arts International, Washington – 'Best in Show' award
2012 Chester Civic Trust New Years Honours - Award
2012 Mosaic Arts International, Kentucky – Selected Architectural Juried
2011 TileLetter Awards (NTCA) Las Vegas – Winner Commercial Mosaic/Glass Award
2011 Mosaic Arts International, Austin TX – Selected Architectural Juried
2010 Mosaic Arts International, Chicago – Selected Architectural Juried
2009 Lake Oswego Arts Festival 'Cutting Edges: Contemporary mosaic art - Invited artist
2009 Mosaic Arts International, San Diego – Selected Architectural Juried
2008 Mosaic Arts International, Miami – ‘Best Architectural’ Award
2007 the Rouse Kent Public Art Awards

My mosaics are messages about consumerism and creativity.​ We (I) have too much stuff. Most stuff does not need to be thrown away; a lot can be recycled, reclaimed, or re-purposed. Thus, I create art with stuff. The unique colors and shapes of my stuff (what I call ‘bling’) inspire and delight me. My goal is to inspire and delight others with my mosaics while proposing that we can all "be more with less."

Carolyn Elaine has emerged as a leader in the Chicago art community, known for her culturally relevant mosaic murals and public art installations. As a self-taught artist, she has developed a stylized aesthetic in mosaic application and is currently the only African American female artist in the Chicagoland area who is actively working solely in this medium.

For twenty years, Elaine has collaborated with community groups, schools, talented artists and construction professionals. She is committed to an open, dynamic approach to place-making through public art and welcomes the creative possibilities of integrating art into the urban environment though community dialogue and engagement, historical research and project development.

In her 20+ year career she has conducted residencies and facilitated collaborative public projects and teaching experiences with the Illinois Arts Council, Chicago Public Art Group, Cook County Juvenile Detention Center, Archi-Treasures, Urban Gateways, Art Resources in Teaching, After School Matters and Gallery 37. She has produced more than 60 mosaic installations for over 50 Chicago and suburban schools.

In addition to her work with educational institutions her mosaics can be seen at Brookfield Zoo, Englewood’s 7th District Police Station, Bitoy’s Sweet Treats, Bronzeville Jerk Shack, The Community Builders Headquarters, MA, and the public spaces of Oak Park, IL. She is currently working on commissions for the historic Rosenwald Courts Apartment development and a stained-glass mosaic window installation for Covenant United Church of Christ in South Holland, IL.

Grants include the National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Chicago Grant. Her studio work has been featured for several years in the Black Creativity exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Elaine holds a Bachelor in Arts degree in Communications from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois and a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree in Interior Design from the International Academy of Design, in Chicago, Illinois.

After moving to Bloomington, Indiana in 2010, Christopher Warren Elam started Sycamore Tile Works, a tile-setting and mosaic fabrication company. In 2017, the company was rebranded “Omosaico” to reflect Elam’s shift away from standard tile-setting toward a regular studio practice creating tile mosaics and contemporary fine art. Being a student of the Chicago Mosaic School, Elam has studied extensively with Italian mosaic artist Matteo Randi along with a host of other mosaicists from around the world including Verdiano Marzi, Karen Ami, Gary Drostle, and Toyoharu Kii. Elam’s work can be found in public installations, private collections and has been exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally. Elam’s academic background in intercultural and religious studies continues to inform his work. He currently lives in the hill country of southern Indiana along with his wife and son at the Bloomington Catholic Worker. In his free time, Elam enjoys writing, reading, listening to music, cycling, hiking and boating.

Kim Emerson has been creating mosaics for public and private spaces in the region of San Diego, CA since 1991. Her work is found as public art and in private collections in California, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, and Massachusetts. Kim specializes in large scale installations as well as small studio works. She is the founder of the San Diego Mosaic School were she teaches mosaic workshops of all mosaic methods from her own working studio on a regular basis in the Normal Heights community of San Diego.

"Being present in the moment is what draws me to the art of mosaics. I like to use different types of tile, smalti, stained glass, stones, and other pieces that call to me, because they all have their own unique energy and beauty. Any of them can stand alone, yet another kind of magic happens when they are brought together, creating a whole new piece."
Simone was born and raised in New Mexico, and now lives in Fort Mill, SC. She has been engaged in the art of mosaics since 2004. She enjoys nature; the landscapes of the southwest, and the Carolina Coasts particularly call to her. You'll see these places reflected in many of her mosaics, where she travels regularly for inspiration. Simone creates fine art abstracts and landscapes, home accent pieces, and enjoys teaching mosaic workshops.

Michael J. Ferreira is a mosaic artist living on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Since 2009 Michael has been creating custom commissioned projects for client's homes from Cape Cod to California including architectural installations and public art projects. In 2017, he was selected to serve as President of the New England Mosaic Society and is a Professional Member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists.

Michael has always had an interest in art due in part to being surrounded by a large art community on Cape Cod and with members of his family being active in the arts. However, it took some time to find which medium he preferred and felt most comfortable working with. Michael began working in mosaics in 2009. Although each piece he creates is different, a common theme among them all has been Cape Cod or nautical themes and landscapes with a contemporary, abstract twist. Michael likes to incorporate various materials in his projects including stained glass, smalti, tile, mirror, 3D elements, as well as pieces found in nature. Most recently, Michael installed "Pieces of Our Past", a 4-foot by 8-foot mosaic in the Cobb Astro Park in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Michael graduated from Suffolk University in 2013 with a degree in History and Education and he currently teaches on Cape Cod. For more information about Michael's work, visit www.mjfmosaics.com

Colour envelopes me and I use it to bring joy and brightness to my work. My mosaics and paintings have been called juicy, flamboyant and full of life. My imagery comes from my desert home and the vibrant colours in the sunsets, desert landscape and sunlight that surrounds me. I am a conduit for colour and joy and it comes out in the abstractions, and whimsical representations of flowers, gardens, people & landscapes I create.

Bonnie teaches workshops throughout North America, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and leads study tours to destinations in Europe. Fitzgerald’s passion is designing and creating one-of-a-kind artwork and guiding art enthusiasts, young and old alike, on the journey to discover and develop their own personal artistic voice through the art of mosaics. Mentoring students and creating art are interdependent pursuits that shape Fitzgerald's artistic voice every day. She is the author of “Guide to Mosaic Techniques”” (2015) and “300+ Mosaic Tips, Techniques, Templates and Trade Secrets” (2012), which has been translated into 5 languages.

Jacki Gran is a mosaic artist in Miami, Fl. She is the current President of the SAMA Board of Trustees. Jacki has created mosaic art for 14 years and her work can be found in private collections and has been exhibited in galleries and museums, most notably The Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA and The Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum in Mesa, AZ.

The permanence of my media along with the maze of small tiles, creating patterns and rhythms, draw me into their private realm. Ancient works & methods conspire to direct me as I interpret the world around me.

I developed an interest in art at an early age. As a teenager, my exposure to the contributions and influences of African, Asian, Native American and European art, led me to hone in on my natural abilities as a visual artist. My work is strongly influenced by nature, period photographs, and religion. I work in a variety of mediums but I have found my niche as a mosaic artist.

I have been working as an artist in the Boston area for over forty years and my career path has led me to many fascinating places. I recently completed large-scale mosaics for two parks in Boston. The first of these projects started about ten years ago when I was selected to work with children from United South End Settlements and Ellis Memorial to create artwork for the new Frieda Garcia Park, which sits between the South End and Back Bay neighborhoods of Boston. I taught classes in these two community centers, and the drawings of birds created by these children became part of my design for a magical garden made of fanciful trees populated by zany birds of all descriptions. This 22’ mosaic is titled “A Friendly Flock Touches Down.”

The second public mosaic was for a seating area in the Iron Street Park in the Fort Point Channel neighborhood of Boston. This 6’ x 6’ ceramic tile mosaic was inspired by the iconic loft buildings from this area of town, and it is entitled “City Square with Reflecting Pool.”

For the past eight years I have been teaching mosaics throughout the Boston area including at the Mass College of Art and the Worcester Art Museum. Mosaics has become an important part of my work as an artist. I also work in a variety of other media including painting, printmaking, and ceramics.

Sonia King, mosaic artist, educator and author, creates contemporary mosaic art for gallery, architectural and home settings. Her award-winning mosaics are exhibited internationally and represented in private, public and museum collections. Sonia King’s work presents a uniquely personal expression of the power of mosaic art to challenge the viewer and engage the senses: visual, tactile and emotional. The work is filled with the joy of discovery. Seemingly limitless blends of materials are woven together into complex compositions that are organic and familiar but stimulate the imagination. These mosaics explore the dynamic tension created when familiar organic shapes can be seen as both macro and micro visions of our landscape. Shapes that are simultaneously at rest and moving, pulling the tesserae together into a complex composition while exploring the interaction of each element and the mystery of the spaces between.

Born in 1963 in Seattle, Washington, Kelley Knickerbocker has been a fulltime practicing artist since 2006, when she traded in a secure 22-year management career at the University of Washington for the freedom to spend her days combining bits of stone, glass and tile into vibrant abstract compositions. Her ruggedly dimensional mosaic artworks are a textural distillation of her fascination with contrast, material properties and the technical challenges of mosaic construction. Kelley’s work has been featured in numerous solo and group shows in the United States and around the world, and her commissioned pieces grace many residential, commercial and public spaces. In addition to her mosaic studio practice in Seattle, WA, Kelley teaches workshops in mosaic design and technique throughout North America.

Michael was trained at the prestigious Mosaic Art School in Ravenna, Italy by Maestra Luciana Notturni and her colleagues.
His work has exhibited nationally and internationally, winning awards at the annual “Mosaic Arts International” exhibits in 2010, 2011 and 2015 as well as appearing in several recent art and mosaic publications.  A professional member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists, Michael is based in San Francisco, CA where he maintains his studio practice creating fine art mosaics, reproductions and commissions for private/commercial clients and teaching the classical Italian principles and methods of making mosaics.
Many aspects of my professional dance and theatrical background present themselves in my mosaic works. They are often characterized by  Light, Movement, Energetic Visual Dynamics and a high level of Detail. These are the what turn me on and motivate me the most.
In seeking to cope with the inner and outer chaos of our world today and an increasingly impersonal technological age, my creations tend to lean the opposite; toward the wonder and the natural beauty I perceive in the world, people and experiences around me.
My mosaic voice is always developing and I do not seek to confine myself to one style, but rather engage in whatever style of expression is calling and intriguing me at the moment. I take pride in being versatile and exploring new ideas that present themselves as well as mastering the traditional methods and styles that are at the foundation of my work. My work is owned by private collectors as well as private architectural installments.
He teaches in a no-frills, no-nonsense hands-on way. Courses are composed of lectures and demos on the classic principles and methods, but the majority of the course is actually “getting-to-work” and learning-by-doing.

With a painter’s heart, I developed my technique for micro-mosaics using beads and tile grout.

"To create is a spiritual journey as I am God's creation. My chosen medium- mosaic , unleashes a radio drama that ordinary paintings could not convey.
Like my life and my films, every piece, color, and texture combined with the play of light is a process with unpredictable outcome.
Hand cut, cannot be altered and resistant, each artwork is a relationship till I move to the next.
I love the reflections- alive pulsating and changeable. Shining splendor! This is when I am most happy.
These are moments I humbly express my gratitude."

Mosaic Arts Online is your source for learning from expert Mosaic artists and instructors through an online source. These online courses can be accessed anywhere at any time through unlimited login access. Each course is designed for students to learn tips and techniques that can be easily accomplished and repeated. These online courses are broken down into sections that make it possible to work "in your own space, at your own pace” and complete projects step by step. Instructors will demonstrate and teach techniques from an over-hands perspective to provide a clear and detailed view with no distractions. Once you complete many of the techniques, you will be ready to get even more creative, and try more ambitious projects. Each purchased Mosaic Arts Online course is always available through the individual account log-in. These online courses are not available for download, so having internet access to log in is required. These courses never expire. There are over 50 courses to choose from, starting with Beginner Mosaics all the way to different levels of Andamento.

Creating mosaic art is a remarkable experience provoking contemplation and inspiration that ignites in me the desire to create beauty from broken pieces of glass, porcelain and stone.
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My mosaic compositions, whether commissioned or for private collectors, encompass the natural world, religious subjects, in realism as well as abstract expression.

As a native of Seattle, Washington, I have enjoyed expressing my self through a number of mediums, recently, the art of mosaic. I've found I'm able to fuse my creativity and intuition into a unique artistic style that is complimentary to architecture, public art spaces, and private collections.

I am a self-taught mosaic artist. In 2003, I embarked on my journey of creating mosaics, affectionately known to me as “my art therapy”. My areas of expertise include design concept, design development, fabrication and installation of mosaic murals, fine art and kitchen backsplashes. I have taught beginning mosaic workshops at the Riverside Art Museum, and presently I teach workshops at my studio. I have also worked as an after-school Independent Arts Educator for the Riverside Arts Council’s Arts & Minds program.

Over the last several years, I have had many memorable experiences, including creating mosaic art on large fiberglass sculptures, creating school and community murals, creating commissioned art for a children’s hospital, along with public and private commissioned work. I have also had the opportunity to work collaboratively with other artists to provide “hands on” public mosaic art experiences for my community during Riverside’s annual Saturation Festival, Riverside’s monthly Arts Walk and the Artisans Collective at the annual Festival of Lights in Riverside, California.

Working as an artist and Independent Arts Educator, I believe that every time I create a piece of art or teach a class, I am continuing to learn and grow as an individual. My hope is that my teaching encourages students to think about all the creative possibilities that lie within themselves. I also hope that my teaching inspires students to look at the world through an artist’s eyes, by imagining how everyday people, places and feelings can be transformed into beautiful, enduring mosaic art.

Ryan McGivern's career as a professional teaching artist began at Urban Glass, Brooklyn in 1999 during her employment as the tour director, asst to educ. director and glassblowing instructor. Additionally, Ryan worked as an visual arts instructor at The Art Lab, Staten Island Museum, Staten Island Children's Museum, Noble Museum, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and the UFT while she operated The Studio 150 located in Staten Island, NY. Ryan actively taught glass mosaic art to thousands of NYC public school students until 2016 and has helped create over 100 mosaic murals exhibited throughout schools in Staten Island and Brooklyn. Ryan's work can be found in private and public collections, notably the "Seven Sisters", 2005, located at the NYU Rory Meyers School of Nursing Student Center.

Mosaist artist since 6 years, French but living in the USA since 2001, travelled and worked around the world as diplomat herself then following her husband, especially in the Middle East. Currently in Jerusalem. 3 years diploma of mosaist from the ST Joseph university of Beyrouth.
My Design philosophy
Each piece of artwork is unique.
Each piece of artwork will bring you to another world full of colors, texture, scent and music.
I mix classic technics with contemporary design, copy of artwork or ancient mosaic , create my own design.
My Inspiration
From Middle East countries to Italia, Greece and South America
From pieces of linen, carpets and china
Always combination of colors and shapes
My Materials
Handmade cut tesserae of glass tiles, stone, mirror, broken china, millefiori, marble.
Participated in several exhibition in the USA, Israel.

For nearly sixteen years, I have been designing, fabricating and installing decorative and functional mosaics for residential and commercial clients. I incorporate natural stone, handmade ceramic tile, porcelain tile, brilliantly colored glass and recycled treasures. I also teach Architectural Installation and Pique Assiette workshops throughout the United States.

Mosaic Oasis is a wonderful place where mosaic artists new and not so new gather to learn the art of mosaics. Mosaic Oasis is a full service studio where tiles, tools, and instruction in mosaic art is available.

I took my 1st real mosaic class with Sherri Warner Hunter at the Arrowmount School of Arts and Crafts in 2006. Raising 3 children kept me busy but I always managed to squeeze some time in for art. Five years ago I started to bring the best mosaic instructors in the world to my home city of Asheville, NC and am proud of introducing this art form to many locals and non locals. I love trying all different techniques while finding my own voice. I like to faces, whimsical picassiette art and take much inspiration from the great outdoors. My mosaics are exhibited in K2 Fine Home Furnishings in the downtown area.

I am a self-taught mosaic artist from Orlando, Florida. In 1994, following 16 years in health care management, I opened a used furniture/décor store called Wits End and taught myself how to do faux finishes on some of the furniture. It was never my intention to start a mosaic business. When I did a mosaic on the bathroom door of my store customers were clamoring for classes and supplies. After selling Wits End Mosaic I founded (and sold) 3 more online mosaic stores: smalti.com, Murano Millefiori & Kismet Mosaic + Mosaics In Mexico school. Now I offer fun and affordable online mosaic courses and in-person classes by request.