Two Mixed Media Mosaic Plates, 9.5" x 9.5", titled "Happy Sparkles Rainbow Plate" and "Smiling Glittery Butterfly Plate"

Artist Statement:

My goal as a mosaic artist is to engage in this ancient craft in a playful, modern way. Using traditional and up to date techniques I throw in lots of pretty rocks and plastic toys then listen to the materials to discover their uses and limitations, honing my intuitive process. To feel a piece grow beneath my own hands is magical.

I often work in color progressions, like a spilled pot at the end of a rainbow, building areas of color with modern treasure: plastic cookies with red icing and pink sprinkles, tiny orange star beads, a yellow matchbox car, glass shamrocks, a tiny blue cowboy on a purple horse. I attach these miniature scenarios to a spawning wall or a humble plate filling the spaces in between, sealing in the objects and figures with silver sparkly grout, glittering seed beads or googly eyes.

My greatest pleasure is to watch a child in front of one of my public pieces, eyes darting, searching for that sixth soccer player, the purple gorilla or the glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth. I want to engage my viewer, invite her in to play, to make discoveries along with me, to enjoy the hospitality of my space.