Rosanna's Mosaics and Glass

Artists I Like – Rebecca Vincent

Posted on September 22, 2014 | 2 comments

Another Artist I met when I visited The Hearth Art Centre and Café in Northumberland was Rebecca Vincent. Her work is stunning and I fell in love with her style as soon as I saw it. She very kindly showed me around her studio where I saw many examples of her beautiful work.

Rebecca studied Fine Art at Oxford and Newcastle Universities before becoming a professional artist specialising in printmaking.

Her etchings and monotypes of the north-east landscape have deep, glowing colours and delicate textures. She uses a wide range of hand printed marks to convey the patterns of fields, hills and hedgerows, resulting in an almost abstract pattern of intersecting shapes.

I love her use of strong, blocky colours and the variety of interesting textures that she uses to produce her distinctive landscape style.

Rebecca’s work is on display at a number of galleries across the UK including The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle. Do visit her website to see her beautiful work.

I hope to go on one of her workshops next year and she has also very kindly given me permission to let me use her style of work as the inspiration for my ‘Martin Cheek Challenge’.

REQUEST: I am still keen to get my work into Galleries so if you know any gallery owners or people who may be able to help, please pass this Blog on to them.

COMING SOON: The Martin Cheek Challenge

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Posted in Mosaic Inspiration

Tagged Hearth Art Cafe, Martin Cheek Mosaics, Rebecca Vincent

Mosaic Community Project – The Log Cabin

Posted on August 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

I have always done a lot of pro-bono work when I worked professionally and a lot of volunteering in my local community. It therefore seemed natural when I started doing something creative, to offer my skills in that area.

In June 2013 I met with Vivien Dymock and Sharon Flynn at the Log Cabin, a children’s charity in West London. After they saw examples of my work and then getting agreement from the Trustees, we agreed I would take on a voluntary project: to design and create a range of mosaics that would go in their sensory garden.

My aim was to make 8 large cut out mosaics and I thought this would probably be a 9 month project. The Ealing Gazette did an article launching the project and I asked for supplies to be donated: wood, mosaic tiles, adhesives and grouts. Small businesses and friends started to donate supplies and money and by August I had enough materials to start the project and make the first piece – a butterfly.

Working with the children on a weekly basis, we ended up making 11 mosaics including another butterfly, a dragonfly, bird, lizard sunshine face, glitter stepping stones as well as 2 seven foot high trees.!

This became a strong community project with different people involved including the children and young people, staff, local business and volunteers. With regular coverage from Ealing Gazette and Ealing Today, word of mouth and ‘friendly persuasion’ 95% of mosaic materials were donated by small business as well as monetary and time donations from friends.

I made another large mosaic called ‘Hollyhocks’ which was raffled at £1 per ticket and raised £1,250 which will be spent on art materials for the children.

In addition, a group of gardening friends – Nita, Gill and Krys – volunteered to design and create sensory garden beds. Soil and plants were purchased with a very generous discount. After a year of planning, digging and planting during rain, snow and drought, there are now 3 beautiful and vibrant sensory beds which enhance the playground area and the mosaics.

On August 6th we put up a plaque to mark the completion of the project: 2 years on – 11 mosaics, 3 sensory garden beds, £1250 from raffled mosaic, lots of hard work and help, plus loads of fun- later!

Thank you Log Cabin for letting me be involved in such a great project.

Vivien and Kalpina with Log Cabin Spring Tree

Steve Pound MP with Rosanna and
Log Cabin Autumn Tree

My Mosaic Story – Inspiration

Posted on August 6, 2014 | Leave a comment

Gannett by Aimee Harman

The first mosaic artist I was inspired by was Aimee Harman. Aimee had taught Julia to mosaic so as soon as I got home after making that first tile, I went onto Aimee’s website. I was totally bowled over by her work and the stunning mosaics she makes. Up until then I had a very limited view of mosaics and I was not that keen on them. However, it was seeing Aimee’s mosaics that made me realise what a huge variety, range and style this artwork can have. There was a lovely piece with the caption ‘I made this after mosaicing for 8 weeks’. WOW! Here is one of Aimee’s beautiful textured mosaics, below her ‘Gannett’ commissioned piece. Do go and have a look at Aimee’s website and be prepared to be amazed.

New to this art form, I was very eager but totally lacking in inspiration as that creative muscle had been dormant for a long time. I bought various books that suggested mosaic projects and also showed lovely pictures and different techniques. My first book was ‘Beginner’s Guide to Mosaics’ by Peter Massey and Alison Slater, followed by Rosalind Wates ‘The Mosaic Decorators Sourcebook’ which I bought at her mosaic course and she signed for me. Others have followed: Maggie Howarth’s ‘Pebble Mosaic Handbook’ shows lovely outdoor pebble mosaics – another style of mosaic altogether. Emma Biggs ‘Mosaic Techniques’ does what it says on the label and Robert Fields’ ‘Inspirations’ has gorgeous cat mosaics – one day I hope to achieve that standard of mosaicing – I have a long , long way to go.

Original Guinea Fowl Mosaic by Martin Cheek

Original ‘Corn Fed Chicken’ by Martin Cheek

I also discovered Martin Cheek who has written several books and is one of the most well-known mosaic artists. His ‘journey’ and biography is fascinating and his CV is beyond impressive. His work is lovely and he has a very distinctive style. He manages to create a totally different effect with his mosaics and again, shows different techniques and styles. Do go and visit Martin’s website and have a read of his Blog.

I always knew I was artistic but had never found the right medium. Through mosaics I am slowly starting to find my own style and inspiration. I have tried various techniques and am learning which ones work for me. All the above people mentioned, and many more, have given me inspiration and encouragement through their work and love of mosaic. I continue to learn while being very much ‘the new girl on the mosaic block’.

A ‘thank you’ to all of you following my Blog, I really appreciate your early support and encouragement.

REQUEST: I have a new ‘Mystery Page’ on my website. It is my latest project, but what is it….and why? Please visit and leave a comment if you think you know what it may be.

Coming soon: The Log Cabin Project

My Mosaic Story – The Journey Begins

Posted on July 29, 2014 | 2 comments

Yes, I know it is a bit of a cliché calling it a journey, but it really has been.

My First Mosaic

I met Julia and made my first mosaic with her on the same day, 29^th July, 7 years ago today. I loved making my little tile and I think Julia was surprised at how precise I was about colours and shapes. We had only just met so she didn’t realise what a control freak I was!

When I got home I bought a mixed carton of mosaic tiles from Hobbycraft but didn’t really know what to do with them so played around and made a basic mirror and a few terracotta pots. Funnily enough, round about the same time my friend Anne had also been introduced to mosaics. The following April we went together on a weekend beginners course with Ros Wates. It was a great weekend where we learnt all the technical basics of mosaic making – materials, adhesives, grouting and most importantly, cutting. I still think cutting is the most important element of mosaic making. Again, I thoroughly enjoyed it and liked the ‘snake’ that I had made, but didn’t do much else except another mirror.

Late that year we went to Bath with our friends Helen and Bob and I discovered the mosaic shop on the bridge. When I went in it was like an Aladdin’s Cave. I was so taken by the huge range of beautiful tiles, shiny glass ones, lovely muted matt ceramic ones – so many to touch. The real turning point was they also sold ‘templates’ of mosaic pictures – almost ‘mosaic by numbers’. I bought a zebra template and all the tiles to make it. That was it, I had an aim and a specific piece to make. That was the point I got well and truly hooked.

I loved making the zebra and when I look at it now, I am amazed how I managed to make that as my first proper piece. I can see 500 zebra galloping over the African Plains – how many can you see.

Since then I have been mosaicing away, discovering my style, trying new things, improving my technique, learning from friends and various people along the way. I hope I have thanked everyone who has helped me on this ‘yellow brick/mosaic road’ on my original website.

So when people ask ‘how did you get into mosaics’ I tell them the above story – my journey and it is by no mean over. In another Blog I will tell you the things I have been involved in so far and the destination I am aiming for.

Request: Please have a look at my Gallery and give me feedback on the pieces you like and why.

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Posted in Rosanna Mosaic Artist

Tagged My Mosaic Story, Rosanna Mosaic Artist

My Mosaic Story – Mosaic Friends Along The Way

Posted on July 10, 2014 | 4 comments

I had my first introduction to mosaics 7 years ago – 29^th July 2007 to be precise.

Since then I have met some great mosaic makers: Julia (who got me started all those years ago on an art form I didn’t think I liked), Aimee, Kitty and all the mosaic artists I follow on Facebook. All of whom have inspired and encouraged me along the way.

I’ve also found great mosaic suppliers: Joe and Kate of Mosaic Heaven, James of Mosaic Workshop.

Aine and I at Court Farm Gallery

ARTHouse Open Studios 2014

A big ‘thank you’ to all the people who have given me a platform to show my work: Osterley Garden Gallery, Runnymede Gallery, Jamie at Wetlands, Carol at Whitley Bay, Catherine at All Original, Aine at Kingston Arts, Vivien at Log Cabin, Peter, Louise and Carla at Arthouse Richmond Open Studios. I really appreciate you helping me get my work out to a wider audience.

I am really keen to get into Galleries so hopefully other places will take a liking to my work and let me display and exhibit. If you have any connections to Galleries, please encourage them to read this Blog and look at my photo gallery.

The Trolley Dollies

My latest Mosaic Friends are Trish, Barbara and Kathy from St. Albans. Trish found me via a friend of hers who saw my work in Northumberland. A tenuous connection if ever there was one! We have all become good friends and have met up a few times. We have now become known as the ‘Trolley Dollies’ because when we go shopping for mosaics supplies, we take out trollies – as little old ladies should!

Coming next: Inspiration from RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

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Posted in Galleries and Events, Rosanna Mosaic Artist

Tagged My Mosaic Story, Rosanna Mosaic Artist

Welcome to Rosanna’s Mosaics

Posted on July 1, 2014 | 2 comments

Rosanna Henderson

Hello and welcome to Rosanna’s Mosaics and my first Blog. The aim of this Blog is to keep people up to date with all the latest news on my mosaics. I will be letting you know of my events and exhibitions that are coming up and any special news. I will also be chatting about any exhibitions and shows that I visit, artists and galleries I like and anything else that catches my imagination and I think others may be interested in.

Cragside on Slate

On this site is a gallery of my work and I will be posting pictures of new pieces and commissions. As I take yet another small and tentative step into the world of social media, I hope you will follow my Blog, pass on any helpful tips and let me know of anything you would like me to include or share. R.

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Posted in Galleries and Events, Mosaic Art, Mosaic Inspiration, Rosanna Mosaic Artist

Tagged Mosaic Art, Rosanna Mosaic Artist

Rosanna's Mosaics and Glass

Artists I Like – Rebecca Vincent

Mosaic Community Project – The Log Cabin

My Mosaic Story – Inspiration

My Mosaic Story – The Journey Begins

My Mosaic Story – Mosaic Friends Along The Way

Welcome to Rosanna’s Mosaics

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