What was your kick in the butt?

I am curious-is there a book that seemed to "change your life"? When I was around 25/26 - (eeewwww that's about 25 years ago or more...eeeeek!!)My cousin Debby came me this book to read. I had never been one to read inspiration books or say "churchie" books but, I thought I would try this. It did change my life and the way I thought about things. I needed that at this time in my life. Dr. Peale was an amazing person and I suppose one of the first of many postive speakers. You may know someone that could use this book. Do you have a reading that "changed your life"? I am interested in hearing from you!

Need Inspiration?

My brother grows beautiful orchids, so I just had to post this gorgeous one. I will post more of them from time to time. They just make be feel all springy even if it is fall.

Teal Mosaic Mirror

Do you remember this mirror? Waaaaayyy back a few weeks ago I start this teal mosaic mirror. I had to put it to the side because of several events, such as moving into the new studio building, First Friday, laziness, and too hot or too cold. I have now basically finished it and ...as usual it doesn't look anything like what it started to be-and I am glad! I just could not look at that pattern any longer. Now, I really like the way it turned out. I am going to add some metal lettering I think, but before I did I wanted to share. What do you think?
The materials are vitreous tiles. Approx. measurements are 12"w x 24"h w

sold

NEW WORKSHOP SCHEDULE --YAY!

This is my new "Easy Peasie Mosaic Workshop". I thought I would add something to the list that could be created rather quickly. I love these little birdhouses. Check my workshop blog for more info on workshops. Hope to see you soon!

Vatican Mosaics

I was reading my Mosaic Art Now! blog this morning and came across this wonderful post. I know you will enjoy this video. Thank you Nancie for posting this this wonderful video.

http://

READY for FIRST FRIDAY

FIRST FRIDAYS in Greenville, SC

Laura K. Aiken
10 Central Avenue Studios
Greenville, SC
864-360-3811



Come and visit all of us at 10 Central Avenue Studios. We will even have wine and cheese! Many beautiful new paintings by various artists and new mosaics to touch. We are all excited about our new "digs" so be sure and add us to your list of gallery walks.

Friday October 2, 6-9 pm
Saturday October 3rd, 10 am -3 pm

First Friday's 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.

Ever been to Folly?

My beloved Folly Beach. Ahhhhhhhhhh!

"Pulled Art" inspired by Mystele

Guess I should confess-I have been trying my best to learn to draw stylized girls, (and guys). I have never been to good at sharing this part of me, but here goes. In my last post I showed you the beginnings of my goddess. This piece No. 1 was inspired by Mystele. Mystele is beginning her first online class Thursday and used a couple of drawings by blog readers. I was tickled to death to see mine on her blog. This piece was done in several steps and is created on brown bag paper. I will let you go visit Mystele to read for yourself on the "pulled art' technique. Have fun!

No.1

Laura K Aiken

copyrighted 2009

Mosaic and Design Studio

Laura K Aiken, Mosaic Studio, is a residential and commercial mosaic art and design studio serving the Greater Greenville, SC Area- Come see us!


This art piece is the start of a mixed media project that I am taking from Suzi Blu.

See how the "Big Dawgs" do it!

A mosaic friend of mine, Tom Snyder (and company-Designer Glass Mosaics) just finished a large mosaic mural for a waterfall in Charlotte, NC. I have been following Tom's progress since before the "birth". Luckly I live an hour and a half from where Tom's shop is and was able to actually see it in the "almost" finished stage. It was so exciting to see his work (and meet the others) not to mention, to spy for new material I hadn't seen before! Here is a link to Tom's site...and here is where you see how the "Big Dawgs" do it! Enjoy!
PS...Tom and the rest of your crew did a fantastic job!

New England Exhibition Video Tour

Thank you Bill and Margaret for a beautiful show! Which I could be there.
65 Mosaic Artist's from New England.
Mosaic Art Now Blogspot

Part 1



Part 2


Part 3

Studio Sweet Studio!

Well, finally after almost a year -we have moved into our new building. I will finally have a working studio in downtown Greenville. I am so excited! Not only is it me but five other artists have studios there. I am trying to get a new class schedule created, but until then I am taking students as they show interest. I enjoy giving private lessons and most of my classes are private. Anyway- come see our new home, but remember we are still in the moving in stages.

Kitchen and Residential Design by Paul Anater

Mosaic Eye Candy from the blog of Paul Anater a Kitchen and Bath Designer. Paul's blog is so entertaining and useful that I have to shout about it. The link I have provided is to a wonderful array of mosaic ideas for your kitchen, bath or personal mosaic artwork. Take a look and see what you can't live without. Thanks Paul for all your hard work!

Fast Art: Making of a Mosaic

Thanks to Mosaic on a Stick for sharing this and Tara Nielson who is the artist! Also MPR for publishing it.

Update on Mirror

I have one more post. So far this is all of the mirror that I have finished. Other projects come first when you work for yourself. I am not liking the way it's looking. I sure hope it gets better. eeeeekkkkk.

How cute is this Baby

This pup is from my friend Cecilia Groce's, Dogwood Acres Dachshunds! How cute is she...or he --can't remember which one this is but I fell in love. I have never seen so many dachshunds at one time , this one was long haired...my favorite. I really don't think my Gracie would approve though. :)
http://www.dogwoodacresdachshunds.com/home

Handbags for Hope 2009

It's that time again, Handbags for Hope! This is the third year for Greenville to participate in this fun and beneficial project for the Ovarian Cancer Society. I just love creating for the occasion, it's just so much fun. Also, not to mention how fun the Auction is for the Handbags . This year I chose yellow, orange and greens with a dash of pink for my colors. I never have really worked with these combo's much but I am trying to think outside the box per say. This piece consists of broken china shards, glass and tumbled stained glass. Oh and a dot of my artcabs. I do have to brag though, the orange and yellow squares are from Julie Richey's Dallas Airport project. She had given me these as a gift years ago. Thanks Julie!! What an inspiration you are.

Finding The Real Me: Pear Shaped

Finding The Real Me: Pear Shaped

This post is from a friend and student of mine that attended my mosaic workshop. I know you will enjoy her review. Is'nt Jennifer's piece beautiful? She has used Italian Smalti as her tesserae.

My workshops are catered to each student and what they want to accomplish with mosaic. Enjoy!

Tapestry Weavers South

I am real excited about this event in Anderson, SC! A Tapestry Weavers Exhibition --and one of them is mosaic student of mine and a "new found friend"! Yea!! See the blue and white diamond pattern....that is Jennifer Peavey's. I am so proud!! Yea Jennifer.


Anderson Arts Center
Opening Reception:
Friday, August 28, 2009 • 7:00pm
Lunch & Learn Thursday, August 27, 2009 • 12:00 noon • $7

Join the Tapestry Weaver Exhibitors in a discussion about their artwork, their process and their passion.

Lunch is included in the $7.
Call 222.2787 to register!
A Special Thanks to Tapestry Weavers South Sponsors:

John C. Campbell Folk School • American Tapestry Alliance
Tapestry Weavers South Exhibitors:

Liliana Crespi • Marti Fleischer

Mosaic Art Now - Blog

Mosaic Art Now has a blog! I thought I had announced this wonderful news, but it seems that's all I did...think it! Bill, Michael and Nancie are doing a fabulous job keeping us up to date with beautiful mosaic articles and photos. You don't want to miss this blog if you are a mosaic lover or even if you are not...you will be. Thank you Nancie, Michael and Bill for bringing this to us. Also, Mosaic Art Now has a wonderful, classic and unique mosaic magazine that come out once a year. Take a look cause these are the "big dogs" of mosaic art: Mosaic Art Now!