Mosaics  

Joe Moorman 

“Hermit Crab” mosaic art.  Smalti and stained glass on panel. grouted. 12 in x 16 in
                                                                                                 

“Relic of Hope and Joy” mosaic art. smalti on standstone. about 20 in. 

“Daddy and the Dogwood Tree” mosaic art. smalti on standstone. about 14 in. 

“Listening to Bullfrogs” mosaic art. smalti on panel. 24 in x 24 inches 

About Artist Joe Moorman 

I am a self-taught artist from the Mississippi Delta. My media include painting, mosaic, collage and assemblage. I strive to create art that is subtle and expressive, but sometimes I end up producing work that is political in nature. My political art is usually aimed at Fundamentalism or the corporations that control our media and government. To that extent, I consider myself to be working in the tradition of the Southern evangelical folk artist.  My childhood was rural, southern and Mormon.  The archetype of the prophet figures largely in my work. 

http://www.riversonfineart.com/contemporary_mosaic_art.htm 

Natures Mosaics- Carrie A Bracker 

Veggie Backsplash 

                                                                                                  Sunflower Glimpse 

 http://www.naturesmosaics.com/ 

                             Tulips 

                                                                                                                     Natures Windows 

All designs are copyrighted by Carrie A Bracker® and may not be reproduced.
  

About Carrie Bracker 

I have been living in Maine for the last 4 years. I am originally from Southern Arizona. I have been doing glass mosaics since 2001. I primarily work with glass but I love to add found objects into my pieces. You never know when you might find pebbles, shells, rusted metal or countless other found objects. I am also making my own tiles by fusing glass together. Fusing creates beautiful tiles for my pieces and/or to be used in backsplashes.
Contact Artist Carrie A. Bracker: 207.632.3872 or email carrie@naturesmosaics.com 

Suzan Germond, Austin Texas 

                                                                                  Looking in or Out 

Copper Delight 

                                               Jeweled Flowers 

  Henry Called                            

© Suzan Germond COPYRIGHT 2006 Major Mosaics all rights reserved
Design by SuJen Webs.com

About Artist, Suzan Germond 

Suzan Germond has been making mosaics in Austin Texas since 2000. Suzan has taken many workshops and advanced classes in addition to teaching her own mosaic method. She has studied with Sonia King, Eric Rattan, Ellen Blakely, Isaiah Zagar and Sherri Warner-Hunter. In May 2006 Suzan traveled to Venice to study at the Orsoni Glass Factory where she received a master certificate. 

 She has a Ph.D. in Art History from Stanford University and has experience as a college instructor, an art appraiser of Old Masters and working in fine art galleries. With this substantial art background to draw upon Suzan has chosen to make mosaics that embody the transformative process; changing old, discarded, nondescript objects into works of beauty. Suzan uses a variety of materials such as iridescent glass, Italian smalti, ceramic tile, colored mirror, jewelry and found objects to create detailed, colorful and whimsical art work. 

 http://www.majormosaics.com/bio.html 

Karen Sasine;  Rainbow Mosaics, Moultrie Georgia 

http://www.rainbowmosaics.com/  

Sunflowers for Omi 

                                            Asian Garden                            

                                                                                                        

 Anna Lisa on the Balcony 

                                                                                                                    Gatto Nella Finestra 

About Artist, Karen Sasine 

Mosaic artist, Karen scours the market to find that one-of-a-kind object that she “just has to mosaic.” Her mosaic palette consists of some of the finest tiles in the world including handmade Italian glass, fine porcelain china, precious and semi-precious stones, 24k gold and many unique items. Her work is varied in style from traditional to the avant garde. Regarding her recent trip to study mosaics in Italy, Karen says, “I was given the opportunity to explore mosaics from the ancient Byzantine style to modern Italian works of art. It has deepened my appreciation of this beautiful and intricate art form, giving me a sharper focus and a new refined sense of design and beauty.” In 2007, her piece “Asian Garden” (shown above right) was voted Mosaic of the Year by her colleagues nationwide.

 KSasine@rainbowmosaics.com 

 1119 1st Street, SE
Moultrie, Georgia 31768
(229) 891-8100

How To Create Mosaics!…  

by Anna Meenaghan

in Visual Art  

There are so many choices of items available to you to use for this. You could use broken crockery, beach pebbles, glass beads, marbles, shells, glass nuggets or mosaic ties. You can buy mirrored tiles or even end up painting blank ones with a paint for porcelain. 

Tiles, when bought, have a brown paper backing. So, to remove the paper, you need to let the tiles soak in warm water. Then wash over the tiles and leave them to dry. You can start using your tiles directly from the paper, using an indirect method. 

Get your brown paper and use a water soluble adhesive to glue your pieces into place, upside down. This way you will end up with a really smooth surface. 

You then need to take a rapid drying tile cement and prepare your item with it and then put your tiles on to the wet cement. Do not worry about the brown paper now. Later, when it is dry, wipe the paper over with a wet sponge to get it off. 

This is only the same as you would do if you were tiling a kitchen or bathroom. Use the squeegee to make sure all the cracks and crevices are filled in. Cleaning the grouting off with a wet sponge. It has to dry before you can start polishing it and finish the surface you have been creating. What about your designs?  Geometric patterns are quite a good choice for starters! With time and practise you can get more ambitious and try circles and curves even. Often you will find that you actually need to shape tiles for the pattern you have chosen, so you may need the direct method, with two ways to doing this, using the direct method. 

The first method is not so easy and needs some practice with a few spare tiles. This is the old hammer and hardie method, whereby the hardie is held over your tile. Then you tap the hammer so that it cuts into your tile, therefore it moves the tile to get the required shape. 

Personally, I would say, try the second way with the nippers! These will cut the tiles into halves or even quarters, gradually taking bits away to give you your needed shape. Never worry about the funny bits that remain, you are sure to be able to include these somewhere! 

Whatever method you use, do wear the face mask and goggles for safety. Clear up any little bits of glass or crockery etc. with a hoover or your dustpan and brush, and, for preparation purposes, you could use a clear plastic bag to keep dust and any fragments safely stored. 

The author of this guide, artist Anna Meenaghan, creates all kinds of canvas art, with abstract paintings being, by far, her most favourite type of art. For more articles about art you are invited to visit her online art community where artists and art enthusiasts now have a popular and interactive meeting place. 

About the Author

Originally I hail from the midlands shoe factory town of Northampton. One way or another my life has always revolved around art in different forms. Whilst living in London I enrolled at St. Martins college of art and studied fashion drawing and dress design…

 How to Make a Broken Plate Mosaic Table

 

Creating a mosaic table is an inexpensive, fun way to liven up an old table. You do not need to have mosaic experience to create this table!  This project is one in which you will feel free and open.  This will allow your individual creative to design a table that reflects you! You can design the plate and or china pieces in a specific pattern or you can place the pieces randomly. Time to get out the hammer, roll up your sleeves, and start smashing old plates and or china!

Tools & Supplies-

• Old Plates  and or China— This is a great way to make use of old plates that you would either give away or throw out.  The more colorful the plate or the more interesting the design, the better.

• Gorilla Glue — Gorilla glue expands. For that reason, apply in small amounts with a toothpick.

• White Sanded Grout — I’ve had good results with this grout. Just add water until you get the consistency of brownie mix. Make sure to make enough so you don’t run out midway through your project.

• Gloss Varnish — This varnish dries to a shiny, clear finish. It goes on smooth and cleans up with soap and water.

• Tile Nippers — Tile nippers come in very handy because the china won’t always break in to the size pieces that you need.

Project Instructions

Step 1:
This is good project for using old mismatched china or souvenir plates that are gathering dust. Put the plates in a paper bag, cover with a towel and get out the hammer.

Step 2:
China plates have a thick ridge on the back so you won’t always get a flat piece. Use a nippers to cut away the ridge.

Step 3:
Start by arranging your broken china pieces on the table.

Step 4:
Tile nippers also come in handy for cutting the china into smaller pieces.

Step 5:
Glue the broken china, smooth side out to the table.

Step 6:
Mix up a batch of grout. Using rubber gloves, smoosh the grout into the china.  Get the grout around and under all of the broken china.

Step 7:
Let the grout set for a few minutes until it gets a little hard. Start wiping off the top layer with a damp sponge. If it’s too wet let it sit longer.

Step 8:
Continue wiping off the top layer and cleaning off the china & stones. Use a paint stick or your finger to smooth the edges.

Top view of table. Besides broken china I also used colorful glass marbles.

Finished broken china mosaic table.

Step 9:
After the grout is dry apply 3-4 thin layers of gloss varnish.