Photo by ben allsup, www.benshotme.com (used with permission)

this sunday, i got to dive into mosaic making! it is the first time i have ever worked on mosaic and i quickly learned how fun, addicting, and challenging it can be. i got a few lessons on what is good and not so good to do in placing the tiles - tesserae- and on using the tools to cut and sand the them. i found a nipper that worked well for me and set to work on my section. the advanced, skilled, experienced artists worked on detailed sections. i would be working on an area of one solid color and wide shape- easy, right!?

i quickly discovered the joy of finding pieces that fit together like puzzle pieces and was addicted! then i started to remember the advice i had been given, regarding the more detail-oriented aspects. i tried to avoid creating unintentional lines, edges or “rivers” as well as tried to avoid extraneous and unsightly gaps between pieces. due to my lack of skill, many of my pieces were cut into curving shapes and this made fitting pieces together without gaps at the points far more difficult. i am looking forward to next time, when i will take more care cutting my pieces.

it was, in general,  far more engrossing than i anticipated.  trying to stop for coffee was a challenge-   i said i was going to get a coffee, then, 15 minutes later remembered i had wanted a coffee.  i also got my first cut, slicing my thumb on a tile, so i guess i have been properly initiated.  it is good fun to chat while working, with the other artists, as well as educational to watch the advanced artists work on their sections and see the image come to life.