FEATURED ETSY SHOP - MAHLOW'S MOSAICS

Boats of Vietnam Mosaic Reprint

by David Mahlow

This is a reprint of the original mosaic. The original picture was taken by my girlfriend Tessa in Vietnam. In the original, I took the 8X10 photo, cut it up piece by piece, and repositioned the photo pieces to create a unique mosaic. This is an 8x10 photo.

Welcome, David and his Etsy shop MAHLOW'S MOSAICS.  All I could think of when I saw Davids mosaic creations, was.....WOW!  I've never seen anything like it before, and am happy to have David and his art here on DZFANTASY as a featured Etsy artist!
 
When you pay a visit to David's shop, and read his profile you will see that an original mosaic takes David 30 hours to create!   One can't begin to imagine the patience and skill that goes into creating one of these works of art!
 
Let's find out a little more about David by reading his interview below.
 
What led you to start creating your art/craft?


I created my first mosaic in the 3rd grade. It was definitely made much more meticulously than any of my classmates' mosaics. I made a few pieces in high school and only recently picked up the art again, around age 24.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I started with watercolor pad because I liked the texture. But now I use gesso-primed art panel. Its much sturdier and keeps the art from bending.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I get the most joy out of starting a new mosaic because the possibilities of what it might look like are endless.

A Sunday Afternoon

by David Mahlow

This is a reprint of the original mosaic. The original picture was taken by me in Japan. In the original, I took the 8X10 photo, cut it up piece by piece, and repositioned the photo pieces to create a unique mosaic. This is an 8x10 inch photo.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

Tomato. The color is so deep you don't want to touch it.

 If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?


Painting...on miniature canvases.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

Art is full of opportunity and is the end result of hundreds of choices one makes along the way.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Don't do it for the money! I haven't made any yet. Do it for the love of the craft.


David, thanks for sharing your thoughts and wonderful creativity with all of us!  Keep on creating and doing what you love!!  Turning all those little pieces into a piece of art just amazes me!

David would be more than happy to take one of your special photos and turn it into a mosaic treasure for you. Be sure to visit David's links below.

FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

ART SHOWS, ART SALES....REVIEW OF MADISON AUDUBON SHOW...FIRST SHOW OF THE SEASON

View of the Community Center Lobby

This Saturday I exhibited in my first art show of the season, at the 33rd Annual Audubon Society Art Fair in Madison, Wisconsin. This was the first year the fair was being held in its new location at the Warner Park Community Center.

I was up at 3:30 a.m. to be sure I had time to get our lunch packed (my sister goes with me to all my shows), and the rest of the things packed in the van. My sister arrived at 5:30 a.m. and off we went! Since this was a new location for the show, we weren't quite sure where it was, but felt confident that we would have no problem finding it as my sister brought along her new GPS system. We programed in our destination address and away we went! Well, all went well until we were just about into Madison, when a bunch of construction barrels threw me off and I went "right" instead of going straight. That was when the GPS really came in handy, ( I especially liked how it talked to us) and it kept "reevaluating" our directions. After a lot of laughing and "reevaluating of directions", we finally arrived at our destination.

Before the show opened.

My booth was on the left side, with the black gridwall

Our booth ended up being in the gym, and the grey plastic they had covered the gym floor with didn't make for a very appealing atmosphere, but we could understand that they didn't want the floor scratched or ruined from all the different booth setups.

There were about 60 indoor booths and about the same amount of outdoor booths.

My sister, Dianne, my display artist!

She is really good at finding just the right spot for each creation!

Jungle Spirit in her display!

Were the sales good.....NO! This is probably the worst show for sales I've had in over 5 years! I just barely broke even with the show fees and gas. YES, the bad economy is truly affecting artist's sales at shows. It was a far cry from shows where I have sold as many as 30 creations. At yesterday's show I only sold a total of 7 pins and two fairies!!

While there are always a few exceptions, the general mood from artists at the show was that sales, if any, were way down!! There was a lot of grumbling going on behind the scenes.

A very talented artist across from us, who designed the most exquisite glass mosaic pieces sold a very expensive piece of art and several lesser priced pieces, but a jewelry artist friend of mine who always has done well at whatever show she was in, said she also just barely made the show fees and expenses.

The picture above doesn't reflect the gorgeous work of this artist. The designs of flower, birds, and more were fantastic. My sister purchased one of her smaller pieces...a beautiful robin scene ($195.00).

If you'd like to see more of the beautiful mosaic art of Laura Harris, pay a visit to her web site below:

MELONHEAD GALLERY

Both Laura and her husband, Jack, were delightful neighbors to have at this show. Both my sister and I enjoyed being able to look at such beautiful art all day! Very inspiring.

These delightful, colorful creations are the designs of Mary L. Hager, a 3-D Mixed media artist. Mary's work is some of the most colorful, whimsical, work you could ever hope to see! I will be doing a "feature" on Mary in the coming weeks, with more photos of her enchanting figures, from seahorses, to flying frogs and more. In the meantime, if you'd like to see more of Mary's art, visit her website below:

MLOUHAGER

While it was a disappointing show for "sales", we still had a fun time talking to people, meeting some of our old customers, and artist friends.

I'm still smiling, and looking forward to seeing what the next show brings! One never knows....it could be a good one!

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - VALERIE OF MISTFLOWER STUDIO

Bob, Why the Long Face mixed media mosaic African mask

by Valerie

of

MISTFLOWER STUDIO

What a stunning piece of art....! I love all the colors and intricate design of this African mask! One can only imagine the time and creativity it took to create it.

Let's welcome Valerie of MISTFLOWER on Etsy. Valerie's shop has a wide variety of colorful pieces of her art, ranging from mosaic art, such as the mask above, acrylic paintings, mosaic pendants, colorful mosaic pocket mirrors, and much more! Be sure to pay a visit!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I sustained a traumatic brain injury in a multiple car accident thanks to a drunk driver. I had to re-learn how to do many things, and I started putting together children's jigsaw puzzles as a challenge. As I recovered, the puzzles increased in difficulty. I had been an artist for most of my life up until the accident, so when I started feeling well enough to create again, I decided to try making a mosaic because it was like a jigsaw puzzle. That's how it all began.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

My art is still evolving. First and foremost, I'm a texture junkie. I've dabbled in many mediums, but mosaics and mixed media bring me the most pleasure. I love how chunks of glass feel in my hands.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I love giving things a new life, whether it's broken china, damaged tile, a beautiful broken bottle that I tumble...it all makes my heart sing. As humans, we're all "damaged" to some extent and we're constantly transforming ourselves. Why shouldn't discarded inanimate objects get the opportunity to be a part of something beautiful?

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

Hmmm...I was going to say a blackberry, because the texture of the berry reminds me of a mosaic, but that's too easy. I'd have to say an onion because of the multiple layers. You have the protective skin, it can bring a tear to your eye, the layers and layers of onion. It can be used and prepared in so many different ways. It's intricate and intense...two words that are often used to describe me.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

I'm really drawn to soft fibers. I would love to learn how to knit and make giant wall hangings that are rich with texture and embellished with things like glass beads and copper wire.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I'd like to think that my work tells people to never give up, that something broken can always heal and become whole again and not to be afraid of color.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Find something that you love and that speaks to you. Your art might not be for everyone, but on Etsy you have a worldwide audience. You're sure to find admirers/buyers. Also, don't give your work away with ridiculously low prices. You're worth more than that, and you'll quickly burn out and feel bitter. Art comes from your heart and soul. Be good to yourself and your art will reflect that.

THANKS, Valerie for a wonderful interview....love your answers, and your work! Don't forget to visit Valerie's links below.

MISTFLOWER STUDIO BLOG

MISTFLOWER STUDIO WEBSITE

FEATURED ETSY SHOPS OF ANITA BARNARD

Original Abstract Painting - Natura

by Anita Barnard

I'm happy to have Anita Barnard out here on DZFANTASY as a featured artist. Anita is a very multi-talented artist. She not only creates beautiful jewelry, mosaic creations, but is a "fine art" painter as well!!

Here you will learn a bit more about Anita and her multiple talents. Anita has two shops out on Etsy....her fine art shop is entitled ANITA BARNARD GALLERY, where you will find her abstract paintings and collages, and 13 MOONS ART, where you can see her jewelry designs and mosaic mirror creations and more.

Eve of Saint Agnes Mosaic Mirror

On the Eve of St. Agnes, young girls would look into the village well hoping to see their future husbands.With its rich colors of ruby and garnet, this mirror gleams with its own romantic spirit. The iridescent pink petals of a flower bloom in the bottom left corner, and a strand of deep red faceted beads runs down the right. This piece was designed to be slightly asymmetrical; the angle of the mirror reflects the slant of the left side of the wood base.The mirror measures 14 7/8 H x 11 to 11 3/8 inches W. The mirror is wired with heavy picture framing wire and ready to hang.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I have always created something: Paintings, quilts, murals, mosiacs, miniature environments of dirt, leaves, toys and twigs carefully placed in my little red wagon. I started making jewelry about six years ago after receiving a pretty little beaded bracelet for Christmas and thinking: I can do that!

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

I didn't! My first shop on Etsy http://www.13moonsart.etsy.com/ features jewelry, fused glass suncatchers and mosaic mirrors, and I just started a new one http://www.anitabarnard.etsy.com/ for Fine art: paintings, collage and art mosaics. Right now I have a painting to finish out on the deck and an unfinished mosaic and all it's little pieces of rocks and tiles spread out on my kitchen table.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I love envisioning and planning and sometimes actually dreaming about designs and images of things to make, and then seeing them begin to come together. I also have a secret fetish for graph paper...but often pieces veer off from the plan and take off in their own directions during the actual creation process.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

A pomegranate: It's very red and lush. There are all those seeds, like the many little pieces of separate materials that make up a collage or a mosaic or a beaded necklace. It has that tough skin and isn't always immediately accessible, but it's worth it when that tart-sweet burst of juice hits your tongue.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your "Creativity", what would that be, and why?

I quilted a lot a number of years ago, but just standard quilts, baby quilts. I see so many beautiful, intricate and intriguing art quilts, and they tempt me to get out my fabric stashes and set up the sewing machine again. But I'd have to pack away a lot of other art supplies to make a spot for it.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I don't think I'm trying to send a certain message. If I could cause world peace and eliminate hunger with my jewelry and art, that would be wonderful, but I'm really just trying to create something beautiful or intriguing or thought-provoking or just pleasing...I think that's a good goal...to just please someone, even if it is mostly myself, by the process of painting or turning what I've envisioned into reality. I also like the idea of another person looking at my work and relating to it in his or her own way and attaching his own meaning and connections to the piece. This is why I always have a hard time writing artist statements for exhibits; I hate the idea of having to explain a piece of art.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

"Let the beauty we love be what we do." -Rumi Enjoy what you are doing and don't give up.Connect with other artists and craftsmen. A local as well as an online artist community to share your ideas and work and concerns with is a wonderful thing. They will understand and support you.

Anita, thanks for a very "insightful" and "delightful" interview, and also for sharing all your wonderful artistic creations with us. Be sure to visit both of Anita's Etsy shops by clicking on the photos or links below.

ANITA'S BLOG

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - YONPLI MOSAICS

Let's welcome Bethany of Yonpli Mosaics out on Etsy. I've browsed through her shop, and found a great selection of mosaic pieces ranging from pendants, framed mosaics, bottles, balls and more! After reading below to hear what Bethany has to say about herself and her work, be sure to pay a visit to YONPLI MOSAICS.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?
I have always been crafty and loved art – I can’t really say where it all started.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
I have always loved glass. When I was little I collected sea glass at the beach. When I was older, I developed a “glass problem.” I had a bunch of wine bottles in different colors and could not throw them out for recycling. I wanted to make something with them and didn’t know what. Then I discovered the art of mosaics, and the rest is history. (But I never did use those wine bottles because I discovered beautiful Italian vitreous glass!)

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
I love the feeling that I’m painting with glass. I get so involved in my mosaic that I forget the stresses of life for those few moments . . . or hours.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
Ummm, I think a kiwi – not sure why, but a kiwi sounds good.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
I think I would put a modern twist on traditional quilt patterns.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
Mosaic is the art of imperfection and irregularity. In my work, each piece is broken using a pair of nippers. No break is completely perfect and no piece is laid in the mosaic perfectly either – that is impossible. But each piece is shaped and placed well. And mosaics are beautiful because of both the skill and talent of the artist, but also the imperfections that give the mosaic character and a touch of the artist’s humanity. True beauty is not complete perfection; it is being able to put all the little imperfections together into an amazing whole.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
Find an art or craft that you love – the rest doesn’t matter so much as long as you absolutely love what you are doing.

THANKS, Bethany for taking the time to share your thoughts and work with all of us. I really enjoyed being able to learn a little bit about what makes you "tick" as an artist. Great answers....especially what you had to say about what "message" you want to convey with your art. You can also see more of Bethany's work out on her Flickr site.

FLICKR