Crystal Springs Mosaics

Artist Statement

In previous lives, I was a costumer and a quilter. Upon seeing the work of Anton Gaudi in Barcelona’s Park Güell, I fell in love with mosaics. I knew it was my art form and never looked back. The energy released by breaking tiles and dishes, then recreating something different is one of the things that first attached me to mosaics. In my first mosaic art pieces I used broken dishes and tile that I placed on steppingstone using traditional grouted mosaic techniques. For years, I created one-of-a-kind functional art for the home and garden, including but far from limited to indoor and outdoor tables, birdhouses, signs, holiday ornaments, and magnets.

Today, my focus is on tapestry or embedded mosaic where I place the mosaic pieces so close together that there is no space for grout. When the grout is removed from the process all sorts of other materials can be included. I love to incorporate broken jewelry, beads, buttons, ceramics, fused glass, polymer clay tiles and other found objects that could be wood, Lucite, Bakelite or acrylic. I continue to use traditional mosaic glass tiles which provide structure and focus to my work which is important given all the diverse pieces that I use. I am looking to create a woven tapestry of texture and color in my mosaics. The pieces I use I either find or create. I love thrift stores, vintage markets, and the Tucson Gem Show. In my travels, I search for items that I could incorporate including tourist jewelry that I can pull apart, small items such as chopstick holders or parts of games, plus beads and buttons that I have not seen at home.

Recreating memories by reusing materials is an important part of my work. The best part of this art is when someone gives me a broken dish, a single earring or beloved out-of-style necklace and I can give it back, reimagined, ready for a new life. Participating in community art projects and creating architectural installations also makes me a happy artist.

Teaching mosaics to others - both kids and adults - is one way to show how broken or discarded items can be made whole again. My teaching experience includes working with kids from ages 6-15 in classroom settings. For over ten+ years, I have instructed adults beginning to advance mosaics classes including creating outdoor mosaics, sign making, tapestry mosaic and mosaicking 3-D objects. I enjoy working with adults to create new memories with the objects they have collected or to celebrate lasting friendships while creating personalized gifts for a bride, or a special birthday. Today I teach classes in the SAAG classroom and Blue Raven Art School.