Mosaic Inspiration

So, it's a new year and one of my regrets is that I hardly ever find the time to blog! If u are reading this u can help inspire me by leaving a comment or something so that I can know someone out there is even interested in what I'm writing.

Anyway....a thought I had was that I really would like to expose you to many different mosaic artists…famous and not so famous. I feel that being exposed to different styles can expand horizons and make u think differently about your work. I think the main idea I want to get across here is to use different types of cuts throughout your design in order to achieve a realistic mosaic.... would love to have feedback about ur thoughts!

This week I came across an artist Barbara Benson Keith. She has studied with Sonia King, lives in Minnesota and does a lot of public art spaces. I think we have a lot to learn from her style; Let’s check out a few of her pieces....

Check out the usage of color in defining the main object of the mosaic; namely the bird. The bird, background and then leaves are all cut differently to make them stand out.

 Again, different cuts to define each area. The sky is certainly a Sonia King type of style...similar colors in a wavy motion, then the water cut larger and the direction is clearly flowing...it brings it all together

This Train is just fabulous...notice the similar colors and even sizes of the pieces  of the train and the sky...the look u can accomplish by simply turning the pieces into a different direction.

 So this unbelievable tree was installed in an airport bathroom..
the Women's bathroom. They had special tiles that replicated the tree bark ...which may have been possible to acheive...and look at the fun circular design of the treetops

 Another landscape...again love the bark, circular treetops and the flowing water. All achieved by different cuts. I might have added some shading between the lighter green grass and water to make it look more realistic

 A simple fish...love the water and the sharp contrast of colors and notice how the larger cut fins really define the fish and make him work.