Pearl, Aquamarine and Labradorite Mosaic Brooch by Gray Raven Designs
Posted in Blog, Brooch, Mosaic Jewelry
Tagged aquamarine, blue, brooch, Chicago, Chicago One of a Kind Show, gray, labradorite, micro mosaic, mosaic, mosaic brooch, mosaic jewelry, pearl, pin, white
Antonio Gaudi’s Park Güell in Barcelona (see previous posts) has inspired many, including French-American artist Niki Saint Phalle, who created her own interactive gardens of art, combining both artistic and natural elements. Several years ago I took my daughters to see a traveling exhibit of her wonderfully whimsical mosaics at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. They enjoyed exploring and interacting with the sculptures, while identifying the wide array of textures and colorful materials, including ceramics, glass, mirrors and stones.
Currently, many of the works seen in Chicago are on display in the New York public art exhibit Niki de Saint Phalle on Park Avenue.
Posted in Blog, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry
Tagged Antonio Gaudi, Barcelona, ceramics, Chicago, color, design, Garfield Park Conservatory, glass, mirror, mosaic, mosaic sculpture, New York, Niki de Saint Phalle on Park Avenue, Niki Saint Phalle, Park Güell, pattern, public art, stone, texture
I visited Antoni Gaudi’s Park Güell twice while I was in Barcelona, so that I could have time to fully enjoy all aspects of its beauty. The mosaics (see last post), architecture, and landscape of this park are amazing. Gaudi incorporated natural forms in all aspects of the design. Cascades of blossoms among the structures and a lush field of flowers are among the many natural treasures to enjoy while strolling the grounds.
Posted in Blog, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry
Tagged Antoni Gaudi, architecture, Barcelona, color, design, Eusebi Güell, field of flowers, flowers, mosaic, mosaic sculpture, Park Güell, pattern, pink, public park, red, Spain, texture, yellow lavender
Park Güell was the last private commission of Antoni Gaudi, which he worked on from 1900 -1914, prior to his beginning La Sagrada Familia (see last post). Eusebi Güell commissioned Gaudi to design the entry and park grounds for an exclusive development for Barcelona’s aristocracy. Though the development failed, it is now a public park for all to enjoy. Here is just a small sample of the variety of beautiful colorful mosaics I discovered on the grounds of Park Güell.
Posted in Blog, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry
Tagged Antoni Gaudi, architecture, Barcelona, church, color, design, Eusebi Güell, mosaic, mosaic sculpture, Park Güell, pattern, public park, Spain, texture
During my recent visit to Barcelona, I visited La Sagrada Familia, a cathedral and master piece of design and architecture. Designed by Antoni Gaudi in 1883 and funded solely by donations, La Sagrada Familia has had ongoing construction for over a hundred years (projected finish in 2026–100 years after Gaudi’s death). The beauty of the church is incredible; everywhere you look there is something to inspire. You can enjoy a virtual tour by visiting Sagrada Familia tour, but here are just a few of the images of the colors, patterns, and textures that captured my attention.
Posted in Blog, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry
Tagged Antoni Gaudi, architecture, Barcelona, cathedral, church, color, design, La Sagrada Familia, mosaic, pattern, Spain, stained glass, texture
My daughters have learned that when you travel with Mom you’re not only going to see major attractions, but a lot of little things that are off most people’s radars. Recently, I had the pleasure of experiencing the beauty, art, and architecture of Barcelona, Spain and the surrounding areas with my husband. Together, we discovered things beyond the usual tourist points of interest, including stone walls that have endured and merged over the centuries. The varied textures, patterns, and history within these walls in the city of Gerona were among my finds.
While the stones and minerals used in my work are from all over the world, my favorite place to purchase them is Dave’s Down to Earth Rock Shop in Evanston, Illinois. I discovered Dave’s years ago with my daughters. Not only did we find a wide range of beautiful stones, minerals, and fossils, but also the Prehistoric Life Museum in the basement. Over the years, my daughters and I have introduced many of their friends to the wonders of Dave’s. I now have the pleasure of exciting my fellow mosaic enthusiasts with a visit to the museum and shopping the wonderful finds Dave’s has to offer.
Amethyst Stalactite slice from Brazil
Fossil Fish / Diplomystus dentatus from Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA
Pyrite specimen from Peru
As an instructor at The Art Center of Highland Park, I am able to share my love of mosaics with students with a wide range of experience. Some are brand new to art and others have fine arts degrees, though for most this is their first time working with mosaics. This art form has unlimited possibilities that we explore together, and it is wonderful to see the different directions taken.
One of my students, Cindy Robin, has helped me grow as both a teacher and an artist. Her creativity and talent amaze me. Whenever I introduce new concepts or elements, Cindy jumps in and lets loose with her imagination, vast collection of materials, and skill. Below are just two samples of her wonderful work.
Offerings by Cindy Robin
Our Roots are in the Earth by Cindy Robin
Posted in Blog, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry
Tagged art, beads, blue, buddha sculpture, ceramic, chain, Cindy Robin, glass, green, minerals, mirror, mosaic art, mosaic classes, Offering, Our Roots are in the Earth, smalti, stone, student, tempered glass, The Art Center of Highland Park
I love to work with stones and have been encouraging my mosaic students at The Art Center of Highland Park to explore the wide variety of color, texture, and beauty found in this material. The 36th Annual Gem, Jewelry, Fossil, and Mineral Show and Sale, sponsored by the Chicagoland Gems and Minerals Association, provided a wonderful opportunity for us to spend time in stone paradise. Several hours and pounds of stone later, we left with our treasures. Black spinel, hessonite garnet, labradorite, iolite, carnelian, and tanzanite were among my finds for my mosaic jewelry. I also came away with quartz, chrysocolla, apatite, and fuchite for future fine art projects.
Chrysocolla, Peru
Fuchsite, Brazil
Posted in Blog, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry
Tagged apatite, beauty, Black spinel, Brazil, carnelian, Chicagoland Gems and Minerals Association, chrysocolla, color texture, fruchsite, hessonite garnet, iolite, labradorite, minerals, mosaic students, Peru, quartz, stone, tanzanite, The Art CEnter Highland Park
Yesterday evening I had the pleasure of taking a stroll through the Chicago Botanic Garden. Armed with my camera, I met my daughter at the gardens to enjoy some good company, fresh air, exercise and spring blossoms. Below are a few of the beautiful flowers we found.
Posted in Blog, Etsy, Inspiration, Micro Mosaic, Mosaic Jewelry
Tagged Chicago, Chicago Botanic Garden, flowers, iris, periwinkle, pink, spring, Yellow
