piece x piece

tuscan hillside backsplash - done!!!

2011-05-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

It's always so exciting to finish a project. I'm really happy with how this turned out and I can't wait to see it installed! The big shadow in the middle is me blocking the light from my window. As soon as the thin set dries, I can take a proper picture.

tuscan hillside backsplash - wip

2011-05-13T15:22:00.000-07:00

End of week 3 and I feel like I've rounded the corner!

tuscan hillside wip

2011-05-06T14:57:00.000-07:00

Here's the progress for week 2. My goal is to complete one square foot per week. So far, so good.

something different

2011-04-30T20:41:00.001-07:00

Playing with different materials and having sooo much fun.

tuscan hillside backsplash

2011-04-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

A new back splash commission.
The final size will be about 3 feet wide by 2 feet high.
This is a one foot section of the lower left hand corner.

crane complete

2011-01-26T19:34:00.000-08:00

The crane is done. Now onto the two tub panels.

working on the crane

2011-01-10T16:57:00.000-08:00

auld lang syne

2010-12-27T16:12:00.000-08:00

Ringing in the New Year, wishing
everyone all the best in 2011!

new student work

2010-12-18T06:35:00.000-08:00

These are two of my students work from the recent Beginning Smalti class at Minnetonka Center from the Arts. The class was 8 weeks long and we met for 3 hours each week. I think they did a fabulous job!

it's done!!!!

2010-12-18T06:30:00.001-08:00

The "Little Mountain Get-Away" is done and ready for delivery!

india in a photo

2010-12-10T09:11:00.000-08:00

I recently returned from India. What an incredible trip!!!
For me, this photo sums it all up.

wip 6

2010-11-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

wip 5

2010-10-29T21:38:00.000-07:00

student show at minnetonka center for the arts

2010-10-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

When I'm not working in the studio on the "Little Mountain Get-Away", I'm teaching at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts. Right now, there's a small show of some of my students work. The artists are (from left to right): Meg Eakins, Barb Steen, Janine Irisarri and Sherry Sivo. I'm so proud of them!!!

a little mountain get-away - WIP 2

2010-09-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

a little mountain get-away

2010-09-20T16:04:00.000-07:00

This is the beginnings for a kitchen back splash.

crane project

2010-09-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

This WIP the first of a 3-part project for a residential bathroom. The crane will be framed and hung on a wall at the end of a bathtub. The two other panels will be marshy grass, mounted on the front of the tub.

butterflies for children

2010-04-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

I had the great pleasure of working with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade children of Class E at Lake Country School. They created this amazing butterfly wall hanging that will serve two purposes. One, it will be an auction item (yep, another one) for the Lake Country School annual event and two, a photo of the piece will go to Holocaust Museum Houston to be a part of the butterfly collection that will commemorate the 1.5 million children who were lost. To see more about The Butterfly Project in Houston, go to http://www.hmh.org/ed_butterfly1.shtml

another auction item

2010-04-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

Up for auction at my children's high school annual fund-raiser

my boychick

2010-04-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

"My boychick" is a mosaic portrait of my son. The inspiration is from a photograph taken of him when he was 5 (he's now 17).

auction item for the plymouth playhouse

2010-03-09T15:22:00.000-08:00

The Plymouth Playhouse is an innovative theater in Minneapolis. As part of their auction in April, the have taken a door that was once used in a production at the theater, cut it into 32 different shapes and then passed these shapes out to various artists in the Twin Cities. I was one of the lucky artists to receive one. The task was to create something that reflected the idea of transformation. With that in mind, I created a story called, The Rose and the Ginko. Here's the very short story: The Rose, robust, full of beauty and love, glorious in it's full bloom. The bloom, having spent each day embracing the sun, sharing it's fragrance and vibrancy, wilts and withers in the dusk of day. No longer the vibrant bloom, the rose transforms and awakens as the Ginko - filled with the quiet wisdom of peace, love and hope; sharing endlessly with all who hold the Rose in their heart. All of the various pieces will be reassembled back into the door and presented as an auction item at the event on April 19. I can't wait to see all of the different pieces of art assembled together!

teaching at Minnetonka Center for the Arts

2010-03-02T20:04:00.000-08:00

Oh, I'm having so much fun teaching a mosaic class using smalti at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts. The class is every Tuesday from 9 -12 and the group of women couldn't be better - talented and fun to work with. I'll post pictures of their fabulous mosaics next week.

december 23

2010-02-12T06:03:00.000-08:00

The SAMA (Society of American Mosaic Artists) convention is coming up. It's a very exciting gathering of mosaic artist from all over the country. One event at the convention is The Salon, which is a mini auction of mosaics created specifically for this event. This is my entry. It's called: December 23.

the tuscan backsplash is done!!!

2010-01-28T07:22:00.000-08:00

The Tuscan Landscape is done and ready for delivery. I can't wait to see it installed in the niche!

article in the American Jewish World

2010-01-22T12:21:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited! I just found out today that there is an article in the arts section of the American Jewish World about my exhibit at the St. Paul JCC. Here's the link: http://www.ajwnews.com/archives/4757#more-4757. Thanks to everyone who has been instrumental in making all of this happen.

tuscan landscape backsplash - almost done

2010-01-21T14:26:00.001-08:00

The Tuscan Backsplash is moving along.

julie's dream come true

2010-01-21T14:19:00.001-08:00

For seven years, Julie has wanted a lively backsplash in her kitchen. The red is a perfect accent to her colored walls and bright art. Together we created this backsplash using "Lava Pebbles" from Smalti.com and "Cinnamon Pennyrounds" from MarylandMosaics.com

Finished and ready to grout - Class at JCC

2010-01-21T14:01:00.000-08:00

I had the great pleasure of working with a wonderful group at the St. Paul JCC, teaching a beginning mosaic class. Almost everyone finished their piece in the 4 short hours we had to make a 10" x 10" mosaic. Next week we'll grout.
Here's April's "Fish"
Sophie's "Woman"
Paula's "GreenMan" and Anne's "Range"
Betty's "Sunflower"
Jeffrey's "Five"
Lori's "Bird"

Mosaic Class at the St. Paul JCC

2010-01-21T10:06:00.000-08:00

Here's the class, busy creating using stained glass.

WIP - tuscan landscape backsplash

2010-01-06T11:57:00.000-08:00

I'm so fortunate to have such great clients! I'm at the beginning stages of this piece. It will be inset into a niche behind the stove and is made out of stone and smalti.

the JCC show is up

2010-01-04T13:36:00.001-08:00

This is piece number 13 out of 13 (my lucky number) and it is called "Opening".
The "History of Mosaics" presentation was last night at the JCC. It was the opening event for the mosaic show. I was so happily overwhelmed by the wonderful turn-out of people - a packed house. Thank you to all who weathered the cold and came to the opening!!!
The mosaic show is up at the St. Paul JCC and will run through Februry. This is the left half of it.

history of mosaics presentation

2009-12-09T07:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I gave a "History of Mosaics" powerpoint presentation at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts. Oh, it was fun! Thanks to all of you who attended. I'll be teaching a "Mosaic Smalti" class there this winter and the presentation was to kindle excitement for the class. I'm excited!

done!!!

2009-11-24T15:02:00.000-08:00

The backsplash for Concero is in!

WIP - continued

2009-11-12T19:41:00.000-08:00

WIP - hydrengea backsplash for Concero

2009-11-05T13:25:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited about this piece. It's a backsplash that will be installed in a kitchen vignette in a new, upscale home remodeling store called Concero. I'm using a technique that I learned at the last SAMA (Society of America Mosaic Artists) conference. Very fun!

approaching mosaics in a new way

2009-11-05T13:20:00.001-08:00

Usually, I figure out my mosaic and then make it. This piece took me on a journey. Without knowing exactly where I was going when I started, I listened to what the piece had to say and followed. It was an exhilarating way to work. The title for this piece is: Getting to the Heart of the Matter.

now on shelves

2009-08-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

The book has arrived and can be purchaed at Barnes and Noble. I feel so lucky that I'm one of the featured artists.

Edina Art Center

2009-08-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

I just found out that "The Tree of Inner Solitude" was accepted in the juried show at the Edina Art Center. I'm very excited!

ciranda is installed!

2009-08-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

The Ciranda mosaic is finally installed. There was a slight delay with the city of Hudson, WI, but all turned out for the best. The mosaic stone sits in the front garden of Ciranda - an importer of organic ingrediants.

this week's Ciranda progess

2009-06-26T15:54:00.001-07:00

Inch by inch, I'm getting closer to the finish line.

Thanks to an amazing stone artist, I have a flat surface to install the Ciranda mosaic on. Check out Peter's website and oogle over his beautiful work: www.balamstudios.com

1st student in the new studio

2009-06-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful time teaching Janeen how to mosaic. We created a glass on glass mosaic garden stand. Didn't she do a fabulous job!?! I'm looking forward to more classes in the studio.

ciranda - work in progress

2009-06-18T21:49:00.001-07:00

Ciranda is a Brazilian circle dance. I believe it is a quick, lively one. This mosaic, however, is taking me on a slow and very intentional dance across the floor (if a mosaic is capable of doing that) - quietly, methodically moving me around. Ciranda is also the name of the company that I'm doing the mosaic for. They are importers of organic ingrediants.

giving thanks!

2009-06-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

Starting out my day, being very grateful for all the support I receive from the amazing art/mosaic community. It makes me twill with glee to be a part of this group. Thanks everyone!

Big thanks to Kim at WitsEnd Mosaics for all of her endless sharing of priceless information. She goes way beyond in helping and figuring out solutions. In addition, a big thanks to her for featuring me in her Artist of the Month.
You can find Kim's full-service, on-line store at: www.witsendmosacis.com

Big thanks to Stacy Alexander for being such a strong advocate for the arts community. She monthly features artists in her blog as a way of giving back to the community. Kudos to you and thanks for this months feature.
Stacy's blog is: www.stacyalexander.blogspot.com and her website is: www.stacyalexanderstudios.com

tesserae: the art of mosaic

2009-05-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! Two of my pieces, The Tree of Inner Solitude and Kissed by the Tree of Weeping Love, were accepted into the juried show: Tesserae: The Art of Mosaic. They will be at the 2nd City Council Gallery in Long Beach, CA from June 27 - August 5.

ciranda rock mosaic

2009-05-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

New project for Ciranda, an importer of organic ingredients. The rock is in the front corner of their property and will be incorporated into a garden. It will be a garden element as well as the company sign. Another great client!

birdbath update

2009-05-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

The finished birdbath, in it's new garden home. All the tile work was done by 4th, 5th and 6th graders. I loved working with them. They were so excited to learn how to work with glass, use the tools and to be a part of this group project.

art-a-whirl

2009-05-11T06:31:00.000-07:00

Art-A-Whirl is coming up. May 15, 16 and 17!

Art-A-Whirl is part of NEMAA (Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association) and 1000's of artists will be opening their studios. Come on by and say hi. I'll be in my studio in the California Building #309, 2205 California Street. NE.

Also, the Minnesota Mosaic Guild will be showing at The Thorpe Building, 1618 Central Ave NE.

Hours:
May 15 from 5 - 10
May 16 from 12 - 8
May 17 from 12 - 5

Hope to see you there!

art-in-bloom silent auction

2009-04-09T07:44:00.000-07:00

This piece will be in the Art-In-Bloom silent auction at the Minneapolis Art Institute on April 29. Wish it good luck!

birdbath, continues

2009-04-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

Next step - we're covering the forms in cement.

birdbath

2009-04-06T06:45:00.001-07:00

Lucinda Anderson and I are creating a birdbath for the Lake Country School auction. When the form is ready, the 4th, 5th and 6th graders will mosaic it. We started with metal lath and then covered it in plaster.

firedog shower is installed!

2009-03-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

back to the shower

2009-02-28T05:14:00.000-08:00

Panel #3 is done. Moving onto the fourth and final panel.

kissed by the tree of weeping love

2009-02-26T05:55:00.000-08:00

This piece will be in the Minnesota Mosaic Guild group show at the Red Wing Arts Association. The show will run from April 3 - May 11.

the tree of inner solitude

2009-02-26T05:48:00.000-08:00

This piece is part of a WARM group show at the Minneapolis Foundation. The show will run for two months with a reception on April 29. I'll post more details.

2009-02-15T07:37:00.000-08:00

Panel 2 is done and I'm ready to start Panel 3
Panel 1 is cut and ready to go.
I'm cutting panel 1 into puzzle pieces - getting it ready to transport.

the shower panels continue....

2009-02-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

Panel 2 is moving along.
Panel 1 is done and taped (face-mounted with clear tape for installation).

Firedog Shower

2009-01-29T16:36:00.000-08:00

After a short delay (waiting for tile to arrive), the first shower wall is well underway!

Moving Day for Shin - The Eternal in All

2009-01-19T09:49:00.001-08:00

Today is moving day for Shin. Her new home is the corporate office of LDI in Minneapolis.

2009-01-13T14:40:00.000-08:00

Here I go! I'm using 1/2" square glass tile by Trend

2009-01-13T14:38:00.000-08:00

Now that the exact wall dimensions are set, the next step is to create a line drawing which becomes the pattern for the mosaics.

2009-01-13T14:35:00.000-08:00

Here's the design, enlarged and taped to the shower walls. I used this to determine the exact wall dimensions. The wall sizes are 3' x 8', 5' x 8' and 3' x 8'

Firedog Shower

2009-01-12T14:27:00.000-08:00

I'm just starting on a new project. This is the design for 3 walls in a shower. Stay tuned for updates on the process.

kulture klub collaborative

2008-11-02T10:50:00.000-08:00

I just completed an artist residency at Kulture Klub Collaborative. This is a non-profit that offers art to homeless youth. The youth are so amazing and very talented. They create straight from the heart! I so enjoyed working with them. Here are a few of the completed pieces. There will be a 15 year celebration at SooVAC in Minneapolis. It opens this Friday, November 7 and will run for 5 weeks. Amazing work celebrating amazing youth!

Mosaic/Writing/Kayaking

2008-10-29T07:32:00.001-07:00

Come and join us in the Yucatan this winter! Julia Edelman (publisher of The Phoenix Newspaper) and I are co-hosting a writing/mosaic workshop in the Yucatan. For more information go to: http://livingadventure.com/winter/writing.htm
We look forward to seeing you there!

tabletop

2008-09-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

I just recently finished this tabletop for a wonderful client. The client’s request was to create a design that captured a Native American flavor - one that included images of leaves, a tree, a pine cone, the sun and a family crest that was designed by their 6 year old daughter.

artist in residency - girl scout camp

2008-09-27T08:21:00.000-07:00

I had the great opportunity to be the Artist in Residence for local Girl Scout camp. There were about 100 girls, ranging in age from 6 to 12. They were all amazing! The project was to create a self-portrait. They could either draw their own or use a template that I provided. In the end, their pieces truly captured their individual personalities. These are a few of the finished pieces (before grouting).

moving into the 21st century

2008-09-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

For all of you that know me, you know how squeamish I am towards technology (I guess that’s why I enjoy the ancient technique of creating mosaics). But, with the encouragement from fellow artist friends, promising the ease of creating a blog, I jumped in. Here goes....