She is on her way...

My "Self Portrait" is on her way to Chicago! She will be on exhibit at the Chicago Mosaic School in Chicago, IL from June 5th through August 1st. The exhibit is entitled "About/Face: Portraits in Contemporary Mosaic". My project was created in a class with Michele Petno in Orlando, FL. We had so much fun.
The Chicago Mosaic School is the only premier, not-for-profit Mosaic Art School in North America. the school, founded in 2005 fills the void in education in mosaic arts and serves professional artists, designers, architects, as well as, beginners and enthusiasts.

Thank you Laura Trevey!

Bright,Bold,Beautiful
I am thrilled to be highlighted on Laura's blog...take a look!


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Pierre Matisse, grandson of Henri Matisse, to show art in Michael Murphy Gallery M in Tampa

This is Celebration Parisienne, an example of Pierre Matisse’s cut paper works inspired by his grandfather. Click for more of the story
Lennie Bennett, Times Art Critic
In Print: Thursday, May 28, 2009

Happy Memorial Day! USAF

I am very proud to say my husband spent 20 years in the United States Air Force! It was fun to "tag" along as a spouse too!

Yes!- I have been featured!

I have been feature in a wonderful blog called Unique Women in Business Blog Unique women in business is a wonderful group of women in business for themselves whether it be WAHM, direct sales, handcrafting and selling, or women who just love shopping unique items. Support, promote, and share! Take a look you may want to be apart of the group too!

Examples of Artcabs on Fabric

New Artcabs only for the Hip!

Great little artcabs for any fabric or mosaic art. I use these in all my work. They are little fused glass pieces in blues and greens. So unique and really add style to any work of art-or even wearable art. These are approximately 1/2 to 1 inch. The square is approximately 1x1 inch.

$10.00

10 Central Avenue Studios--Yea!

Julia Peters Studios has exciting news! Julia has purchased the building at 10 Central Ave. in Greenville, SC. We are all so excited! This studio and gallery has been a dream of Julia's for a long time and now it is coming true. 10 Central Ave. Studios will consist of several studios upstairs and downstairs. These will be rented to artists in and around the area. We are really looking forward to making this a beautiful place to work and display our artwork. There is lots to be done. If you are interested in learning more about a possible studio space, please give us a call:

Julia Peters-894-370-0301 or

Laura Aiken 864-360-3811

Exploring Pierre Bonnard and Henri Matisse

It's a treat to get the chance to compare the two greatest colorists of the 20th century: Henri Matisse and Pierre Bonnard. While viewing these paintings, see if you can spot Matisse vs Bonnard.New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art is showing the scintillating exhibit more on this story
Thank you The Boston Globe.. Boston.com

Matisse sighting...

For those of you that know me, know I love Matisse. Today I came across this wonderful blog: A Look Back in Anger and saw a painting I had not yet seen. I just love when that happens. Then on top of that to find such a delightful blogsite. Yea for ME! Thanks Pal Shazar

THIS FRIDAY MAY 1, 2009 6-9:00

FIRST FRIDAYS in Greenville, SC
Julia Peters Studio
24 River Street
Greenville, SC
864-360-3811

Come and visit Julia and me! We will even have wine and cheese! Lots of beautiful new painting by various students and new mosaics to touch. See you then! I'll have a drawing for a free glass fusing class for some lucky winner.

Mission-
To promote visual art awareness in our community and provide a venue for showcasing emerging and established artists in our area. To combine resources of gallery owners and artists to create beneficial exposure for both.

Each first Friday of each month these 27 art galleries and venues will be open from 6:00-9:00 p.m. offering local,regional, and national talents. A wide range of media will be represented: oils , watercolors, acrylics, pottery, jewelry, glassworks, woodworks, photography, and mixed media. Step out and support our thriving arts community.

SUMMER ARTCAMP ages 10-18

New Schedule and Artcamp

SUMMER ARTCAMP (ages 10-18) $125
Three separate sessions
$125.00 each session
2:00-4:00


Monday, June 8th through Friday June 12th.


Monday, June 22nd through Friday June 26th.


Monday, July 13th through Friday July 17th.


Classes meet from 2pm to 4pm each day on the week.We will work in acrylics and gouache. Learn color mixing, pouring's, collage and printmaking. One day of classes , we will be making a mosaic sun catcher to take home. Creativity is encouraged and drawing skills enhanced. Really a fun time!

Hummm?

Well I have know grouted, painted, and painted the edges...many colors, but ended up with green. I think I kinda like it. I will live with it a couple of days and decide. I like bright colors so it's hard for me to settle for forest green. What do you think? These little pieces turn out so pretty I. Acually it's one of the projects we do in my mosaic signage class. I provide a metal frame though...and all the other supplies.

I still have to clean up around the frame, it's a little too rustic! Once that is done I guess she will be ready to go.

Now we go to the next Step...

Grouting is my least favorite part of mosaic. Your grout powder will need to be mixed to a peanut butter consistency. I add small amounts of water in a tub and stir to achieve this. I then let it set for a few minutes until it slakes or rather has a slight film on top. Little by little I add the grout to the mosaic...always to remember to wear goggles, and gloves. The grout just ruins your hands. Now after applying the grout I wipe and wipe, and wipe, and wipe, and wipe. Then I wipe a little more until I like the look. Here I am using white newspaper to clean, some people use lint free cloths. This is a very short description of thisprocess. You can learn more in my mosaic workshop.
Ta Da! It's grouted but I'm not diggin the white grout. Now what. Guess I will have to experiment. Hummm, I think I will be naughty and try paint. The unthinkable to some. I will be back with more photos on this tomorrow.

Creative Workshops in April

Basic Glass Fusing Class--Wednesday April 8 2:00-4:00 $55
Basic Mosaic-Wednesday April 15 2:00-5:00 $125
follow-up Saturday April 18 2-4
*Basic Mosaic - Monday April 20 2:00-5:00 $125
All supplies included

864-360-3811
for more info:
http://www.amosaicstudio.blogsopot.com/
*added date

Emma Biggs' Eye Candy

Since I had highlighted Emma Biggs' book for the Book of the Month, I thought I'd add a link to her website. Thanks Sonia King for bringing this to my attention. I really enjoyed going through her pages of how-to and beautiful examples of her work. Really nice, nice eye candy. Enjoy!---

"mosaic, a lasting art"

So Far.....but not finished.

OK, so far this is the results for my Habitat address sign. Hummm now it's grouting time. That part is always nerve wracking! Did I spell that right??? Anyway...think it will be black. Once that is done I will paint the framing. I have the progress pictures somewhere safe...I'll find those and show them later.

Look at Me! Look at Me!

FIRST FRIDAYS in Greenville, SC
Julia Peters Studio
24 River Street
Greenville, SC
Mission-
To promote visual art awareness in our community and provide a venue for showcasing emerging and established artists in our area. To combine resources of gallery owners and artists to create beneficial exposure for both.

Each first Friday of each month these 27 art galleries and venues will be open from 6:00-9:00 p.m. offering local,regiona, and national talents. A wide range of media will be represented: oils , watercolors, acrylics, pottery, jewelry, glassworks, woodworks, photography, and mixed media. Step out and support our thriving arts community.

Mark you calendar for next month May 1, 2009

Beautiful logo and design by Marco Suarez
Eli Warren mosaic photograher

My New Finds

My newests fun project is a address sign for a Habitat for Humanities home. I sorted all my colors together. The flowers are from GARDEN CANDY. Lots of fun stuff there. My plates are from TJMaxx. Other things are from...yikes, I don't remember, but I love them all. I can't wait to start!

The Making of a Mosaic

St. Thomas Catholic Church, Zanesville, OH

Ever wonder what is involved in the making of a mosaic?
Well now you "sort of know" This was a project that was so much fun. It's so nice when you get to work with great people. I live in South Carolina and the project home was in Ohio. I created the work in my home studio on nylon mesh. Each piece of glass is handcut with mosaic nippers, well actually I used wire cutters on these. Upon completion, I cut the project into puzzle pieces, pack, map it out, and send it to the new owners. A professional tile setter will then set the new artwork. Then I smile really, really big! Mosaic artwork outlives a lifetime...why not enjoy it now.
Check out my mosaic classes for more information:
http://www.amosaicstudio.blogspot.com/
copyright 2008 laura k aiken all rights reserved

1. achievement 004 colorA, 2. Setting up the "Cartoon", 3. Yes-I wash all the tiles..man they are dirty!, 4. Getting started, but where?, 5. Untitled, 6. Here We Go..., 7. Starting the flower outline, 8. Gettin it on with the Blues and Gold, 9. Beginning the beautiful reds., 10. Finally Finish!, 11. Magic Installation, 12. Yes-It's Done!, 13. Can you see it way up there?, 14. Front of Church, 15. St.Thomas Mosaic #3, 16. Laura-McConway-Carol