Beautiful Student Project!

Wow - great first project Michelle!  Turned out so pretty :)

Glass mosaic Milagro Heart from the Day Of the Dead Mosaic class I teach at diMosaico.

Just A Little Hello

After a few revisions with my little Goldfinch design, I decided to have the Hello on it's own and do another, different Hello with my bird.

Here is a sweet Hello with a twinkle for the garden or inside.

Mosaic Flower Garden Project

Here's a flower garden you can have all year! Butterflies and bright flowers will be a great project this winter after the holidays are over.
Yep, sound like I'm planning Way Ahead but trust me, fast forward to rain, snow, cozy indoor activities and hot drinks after the tinsel and paper craze has passed. How nice create something really cool on those long winter evenings.

Why mention this? Because there could be kits available for this mosaic as well as classes.

The class project at diMosaico will run for three Tuesday evenings, 6 pm - 8:45 pm.  Students are expected to work on their projects in between class meetings in order to finish their projects.
The mosaic flower squares can also be done as individual projects, perfect for a box lid.

To make the most of class time, use the colors chosen on the color flower drawing. This way glass cutting can begin, learning how to use the tools, materials.
Don't worry about creating a masterpiece right away. The purpose of the classes are to learn new skills and sharpen them through consistent practice.

If you were just learning how to play an instrument, no one would expect you to play in an orchestra concert the next week - right?  Patience and practice, practice, practice.  :)

Mosaic 9 Square Flower Garden work in progress - SueBetanzos.com

Tohono Chul Exhibit

Last night was the artist reception for the Tohono Chul exhibits Piece by Piece mosaics and Dia de los Muertos. As usual, it was very well attended with crowds of viewers jostling to view the artwork.
Tohono is one of my favorite nature oasis in Tucson and I always feel fortunate and privileged when my work is selected to participate in an exhibit.
Ran into several friends and met wonderful art lovers and artists.
Sold the Heart Song, yellow warbler and hope for another sale before the show ends October 20th.  I think the fact that Heart Song was featured on the Tohono web banner for the show helped :)

A NATURE Artist

At last, the article that I should have posted at the first of May. I know, kind of late, but I was sent a PDF which is not accepted to post and finally got the jpg version. For those who did not get the Tucson Lifestyle in their mailbox or rush to buy one, here is the two page spread. Nice and mentions my aussie sweetie Risa and even features my mosaic of my little dog. And no, sadly it's hard to read the article from this jpeg without a magnification via glass or zoom, so you would have to go the library to read pages 17 and 18. 

May was a great but super busy month and was gone so fast. Mother's Day orders got a little crazy and was unprepared for the response for my MoonLight Cookie Samplers. Then Memorial Day, then the Tohono Chul upcoming exhibit which will have two of my glass painting pieces. Now I am in Fourth of July preparations and laying plans for fall shows and promotions. 

I will also be adding pages to this blog on my sketchbook and process. How do I do this or that? Well I will show the how part soon. Meanwhile, you can still read this issue of May Tucson Lifestyle at your local library, one of my favorite hangouts. Did I mention how much I love books and reading?

Click to view the larger version

Well Hello There!

Hello out there! Seems like time is flying by way too fast. Lately I average about 5 hours of sleep, but feel pretty good. Must be because I am so excited about my new cookie store MoonLight Cookie Art, the new article of my work in Tucson Lifestyle this May - the BEST birthday present ever - and planning for a nice road trip.
The article in Tucson Lifestyle lists this blog site here instead of my main website due to a slight mix up, so here is a flyer with my main web address and work samples - I will post a few times over next month.

Click to enlarge full size

Still working on a mosaic that I love and will have finished in a week. Also now that Easter is over Mother's Day is coming up and I will have to set cutoffs for orders for cookies. I was swamped for Easter - this time I will have more control. Also working on a small mural project that, is due at the end of this month! But I wouldn't have it any other way - I love working in different media and ideas always flow!

Nature Vision Mosaics

I am reposting this in a larger format and because it is part of my abstract nature series and these were voted favorites by my fellow artists this weekend. The abstracts are a direction my work is going in lately and I am designing the tempered glass tiles with bits stained glass.

Dog Star Mosaic

Finished! Stained glass, TG glass, antique bugle beads and reverse glass painting on plate. South west canyons inspired the gold reverse glass painted petroglyph of a dog star with gold bugle beads on a canyon wall. Glittering, cool blue water and green tree leaves complete canyon setting.

Natural stones edging the rim finish the piece.

Spring Dance

Here are the finished pieces as I continue exploring the possibilities with tempered glass. In the new abstract series my work explores the mystery and magic of nature. The literature series is all about my passion for literature. This summer I developed an addiction for audio books. The studio can be isolating and listening to stories is easy. Some of the pieces are influenced by What I am listening to and I remember them by books and the feelings I had while making them.

My parents sent me flowers! They are beautiful and I keep them right where they inspire me at my work table - I am so blessed!

Mosaic Art Addiction

O.k. I am so addicted to the whole Flickr mosaic artist sites and connecting with other artists! That's what comes of too much studio time. It has been such a blast looking and getting jazzed by all the different styles, colors, projects etc. that I am designing Right Now!

Here is teeny, tiny sample. The first is a heart by Lin Schorr for a community mosaic project and the second is by Lori Desormeaux called Latte Heart Valentine. The links enclosed will take you to a favorite blog that features these mosaics on the first and second pages plus Lin's site. I liked Lin's community mosaics with their themes and now I want to do one too. I posted all of my work and links and got a lot of response :~) The combination of the glass painting and mosaic is not mainstream, so people are asking how I do it. Will post some progress picks soon.

I Have A Dream

Today is Martin Luther King day and I am so inspired by this person. "I have a dream..." is the beginning of such a moving speech. Dreams are what give us goals, direction. Then it simply about making the 'map' to get to our dream goals. Years ago I was given the book Oh The Places You Will Go by Dr. Seuss. When in doubt I still go back to it for a smile because the content is always relevant to achieving those dreams. So today will be for everyone who has dreams/goals like M.L.King and have the courage to go after them.

Dreams of inspiring others to appreciate nature in all it's forms is personal goal that will continually be reflected in my work through the paintings, mosaics, and folk tales. So with Dr. King's words and yes, Dr. Seuss too, it's off to the studio for me to finish four folk type St.Francis mini mosaics and work on couple of new designs of the Mexican Wolf. These are new images of my wildlife mirror pieces, functional art series. Reverse glass painting, gems, glass and mirror put together in contemporary designs. Anna Hummingbird & Red Tailed Hawk. How I love birds too!

Holidays, Avatar, glass Pins and Mosaics

Hello again! Been out of touch but now that the holiday haze is winding down there is much to tell. Time sped by in a blur. Christmas was spent with my family and so special. for New Years Eve a friend and I went to see the new movie Avatar in 3-D and it was Great! Had a fabulous, beautiful dinner prepared by my very talented gourmet friend, a very cool movie and then some bubbly to drink in 2010 complete with wacky 2010 glasses, sparkly hat and flashing champaign glasses. A perfect evening!

The little glass pins and pendants are a hit and had a few mini mosaic commissions. The Risa mosaics are charming dog lovers and enclosed is one of the commissions for another Aussie with a Risa pose. Risa Star Gazer sold twice! Poses can be repeated, but never duplicated so each little mosaic turns out unique with turquoise gem pieces.

Mantra for 2010 - Live What You Love.

St. Francis and Risa mini Paintings Mosaics

Wow! The day after Thanksgiving. Feels like any other day and it's back to work. Had a lovely dinner and ate Waay too much. Had highly nutritious coffee and apple pie for breakfast - mmm! those leftovers are tasty!

Starting new reverse glass paintings and pieces - they are small and pretty cute.All of the mini mosaics have gems, stones, beads, glass and often mirror. Size range is 7 - 12 inches. 

Never tire of St. Francis, wildlife & Risa subjects. Risa Star Gazer will be used for some holiday cards and gifts.  As you can tell,  I like Starry Nights and Risa will be gazing up at the brightest star of Christmas.

Hope there are those out there that are reading - leave comments :~)  I know I should work Facebook page, but no time! Will get on there shortly and put something  up!