Mosaic Oasis News

                   Wall Plaque by Diane

Here at the Oasis we are excited about the new year and are looking forward to some upcoming classes that we hope you will partake in. For starters we are running another session of our very successful class, Mosaic Art Design, starting on January 7th and running for four consecutive weeks on Wednesdays and Saturdays.We will then run it again later in the Spring through the Arlington and Lexington Community Education courses. (see "Classes" on our blog page and scroll down for a description).

December saw many of you in gift making mode and some really beautiful pieces of art were created! Hopefully you are now ready to make a mosaic for yourself!  And remember that winter is a great time for an indoor project and we can help you get started designing and translating your next project into a mosaic masterpiece. Maybe you have a fireplace surround that calls for some color or are planning a renovation and want to see your own art put right into the walls. We can help you at every step of the way…

One of the wonderful things about running a mosaic studio is that even though this is a business, we really enjoy   getting to know our customers, and having our customers connect with each other.  Over time we become friends, which is one of the side benefits of having this studio and coming to this studio,    it is a great way to make new friends and expand your circle.    But most of all we are really pleased that you found the art of mosaics and that it has influenced your life in ways big and small. We really enjoy assisting all of you in creating beautiful mosaic pieces and are amazed at how different each one turns out.  So, thank you for patronizing Mosaic Oasis, you really make opening up in the morning a pleasure, and we really hope that you will continue in the coming year to find time in your life for art – it really makes a difference!! We have inserted into this post some new pieces of art done by Betsy and Suzanne – unfortunately I cannot figure out how the caption works so I will list them here – the first is a pebble mosaic mirror done by Betsy, the second is a round mirror done in Grecian style by Suzanne, the third is a family crest done as a custom order by Betsy, the fourth is an art panel done by Suzanne, a view of Boston from Hull, and the last is a mirror made by Betsy using Raku pottery .  You can click on any of the images to get a larger view.

We are so pleased with the mosaics that you create – here is a small sampling of some of your latest masterpieces!!   Jeanna created this Fleur-de-Lis in our Mosaic Art Design class, one of our most popular classes.  First time mosaic artists create beautiful art panels that are suitable for hanging and admiring.  Sue was inspired by her work with fabric and designed this colorful abstract panel. 

Kai used the colors of a pomegranate as the focus for his art panel,   and we think he got it just right!!  Lei-Sanne followed the delicately curved lines of a four leaf clover and used smalti to make a beautiful wall hanging for her daughter.  The Mosaic Art Design class can be taken before or after the Mosaic Taster class which is our basic introductory class.  The next Mosaic Art Design class is scheduled for January, Anne used some of the traditional Roman techniques in her Celtic Knot. design and we think it looks terrific.  Barbara used the very popular and colorful subject of a fish as her first mosaic and we can tell her fish has loads of character    And last but certainly not least, Gate's semi-abstract autumn scene is calming, soothing, and beautiful all at the same time!!

Thank you all for joining our Mosaic Art Design Class and we look forward to seeing you again soon!!

We had participation by over 35 artists and a very well attended showing on both Friday and Saturday.  Some of the highlights:

Most intricate and quite beautiful – Arabesque Table by Glynda Benham and Geometric Mirror and Cube Trivet by Nick Sargent        

Best Use of Found Objects – Garden Ball by Anne Kelly Contini

Summertime fun – Watermelon Table by Liz Clayton

Most Soothing to look at – Georgie O'Keefe by Amy Ellentuck

Most cheerful to look at – Pot of Flowers by Nancy Baratta

Most Glitzy – Round and Round by Jessica Gusar

Mirror many would like for their own home – Maine Mirror by Terry Bromfield

And last by not least…….most commented of all the pieces (drum roll here) ….."Fore!" and "Tennis Anyone??" by Solomon Owayda!!

See Below for a complete listing of all the participants – thank you again!!

MOSAIC OASIS CLIENT ART SHOW – SEPTEMBER 2011

Wall Hangings

Cardinal – Tracey Gresser

Cattails, Cat Tales, Cattell’s – Colleen Kirby Cho

Georgia O’Keefe – Amy Ellentuck

Guitar – Juliette

Jerusalem – Judi Bohn

Macaw – Mimi Ellentuck

Mosaic Elle – Kelly Harrington

Pot of Flowers – Nancy Baratta

Rooster – Marlene Talbot

Round & Round – Jessica Gusar

Seascape – Marybeth Connolly

Sicilian Doorway – Ann Baratta

Sleeping in the Bed of the Wild Boar – Colleen Kirby Cho

Tuscan Flowers – Gloria Vigliani

Tables –

Arabesque Table – Glynda Bentham

Leaf Table – Karen Edlund

Moroccan Tile Table – Anne Kelly Contini

Sunflower Table – Liz Clayton

Watermelon Table – Liz Clayton

Mirrors

Diamonds and Rust Mirror – Marlene Talbot

Geometric Tile Mirror – Nick Sargent

Maine Mirror – Terry Bromfield

Pebble Mirror – Judi Bohn

Small Round Mirror – Kelly Harrington

Triangular Field of Flowers Mirror – Paula Hobson

Victorian Mirror – Mary DeCourcey

Functional Items

Cubes Trivet – Nick Sargent

Found Items Garden Ball – Anne Kelly Contini

Purple Passion Trivet – Kate Loosian

Red and Gold Candle Holder – Heidi Star

Watermelon Trivet – Belle Brett

Wine and Cheese Tray – Ann Baratta

Various Trivets

Leisure Time Items (In a Category of It’s Own)

Golf Club and Ball – Solomon Owayda

Tennis Racquet – Solomon Owayda

Please join us at the Mosaic Oasis for our first student art show to be held on Friday September 30th and Saturday October 1st.. All students are welcome to submit any piece done here at the Oasis since our opening in May 2010. Invite friends and family to show off your mosaic creations small or large. All are welcome so stop in to get inspiration and see what is possible even for the total beginner!!  Please see our special events blog page for more details.

Mandala Table made by Amy

Panel by Marybeth                                                    Mirror by Nick

Summer is finally here in full and at the Oasis we are ready for the long, lazy days!

Since everyone is taking some vacation time, we thought we would join in and will subsequently be closed for a few days…. July 22, 23,24,and 25th.  We will re-open on Wednesday, July 27th.

And what could possibly make the vacation even better? Mosaics, of course. Hope to see you at the National Mosaic Exhibition on Cape Cod which opens on July 20th to September 4th at Highfield Hall in Falmouth, MA. visit www.NationalMosaicExhibition.com to find out more about a great art show and upcoming workshops with master mosaic artists.

Need some mosaic ideas? We suggest a beautiful handmade flower pot for your deck, a nice "occasional" table, or a garden ball to name just a few seasonal effects.

Summer is a perfect time to take a class in our bright, sunny Studio. We offer day time classes as well as several evening classes while the light still remains. Check out our class schedule page above….

June is here and we are off to a summer start! Last weekend the studio was full as many came to make mosaic table tops. Porches and indoor spaces will come alive with these personal additions.

Summer is a great time to relax and get the creative juices flowing. Making a table of any size is rewarding and fun and you can even work on it outdoors if the spirit moves you. Contact us if you would like to design and make your own table large or small!

June is a time of celebrations and we have lovely gift ideas for all occasions…. what girl doesn't love/(hate) a mirror?? can't have too many picture frames for all those celebration photos! And what yard doesn't just crave a beautiful flower pot? Come browse our wide selection of gift ideas from jewelry to finished art, we have just the mosaic!

So stop in and start working on your summer project. We are available for commissions large and small if making your own is just not for you!! Happy Spring and welcome to summer.

Betsy & Suzanne

May is well on it 's way and it is with renewed wonder that we watch the leaves unfold and the perennials blossom yet again! Here at the Oasis we are busy as well making creativity bloom.

We know that this is a big gift giving time of year and hope that you will think of us when thinking of something original and beautiful to offer. We are happy to make a mosaic mirror or your color choice which makes a great wedding gift, a picture frame for the graduate, or a special pair of earrings.The possibilities are endless so come in to visit our store for more ideas.

Teens entering 6th grade and up… we have reserved the week of June 27th from 1 to 4pm just for you. Come in to make a gift, room accent or a piece of fine art for a college portfolio. Each session $35.

April is a time of rebirth and new beginnings! Why not start off this beautiful season with a new mosaic project? Here at Mosaic Oasis Studio & Supply we offer many unique opportunities for creativity and fun. Read on for some upcoming events and ongoing classes here at the Oasis. And remember that even if you are not up for making your own mosaic, we have many beautiful pieces for sale all of which make great and unique gifts or home decor. For our upcoming workshops and classes for April and May, please visit our "Special Events" page and check out our "student gallery" and our commissions page for recent finished products.There are many opportunities to explore the wonderful medium of mosaics!

March means that Spring is on the way and especially now that the clocks have moved ahead, the days grow longer and lighter. Here at the Oasis we have some fun ways to launch you into this lovely season. Read on for more info…  

"Ornamental Accents For the Garden or yard"... join us on Thursday, March 24th and Friday, March 25th for our first Spring event. Cost $75 includes all materials . This workshop will be held on two consecutive evenings from 6:30 TO 9:30 pm and then come back to grout at your convenience or do it at home. We will focus on proper surface preparation and material for an outdoor mosaic project. No prior experience needed. And of course you are welcome to bring along some of your own favorite material to add to your piece.

Upcoming workshops…. stay tuned for details

 * April:  Jewelry workshop  Friday evening, April 15th  and Jewelry/Gifts workshop Friday, April    29th just in time for Mother's day and other gift giving occassions!

* May: Outdoor flower pot with Richard Youngstrom… Thursday & Friday evenings May 12 & 23 with grouting on Thursday evening May 19th. Check back for more details.

                     Smalti workshop with Pam Stratton … Saturday May 7th…. times and cost to follow.

* June:  Table Workshop…. get your porch or deck ready for summer with a lovely accent table.   details to follow.              

National Mosaic Exhibition on Cape Cod  July 20 – September 4, 2011  go to www.NationalMosaicExhibition.com or e-mail NationalMosaicExhibition@gmail.com for more details

thanks, Betsy & Suzanne

For many of us February brings the winter doldrums and with it longings for gentle Spring days. The good news is that it is the shortest month of the year and the days are visibly getting longer. For others, February is all about celebrating LOVE with Valentines Day right in the middle of the month. We think LOVE is for every month but by all means, think of us if you are looking for a unique Valentine's Day gift. We carry mosaic heart pendants, several heart shaped mirrors that you can make or give as a gift for your mosaic making sweetheart to do for his/herself, a gift certificate towards a class or anything in the studio, or for other finished mosaic art and jewelry. All are a great way to say "I love you" to a special person in your life!

Our Mosaic Design Classes are off to a good start. If making a mosaic fine art panel appeals to you, keep an eye out for out next session starting in March through the Arlington Community Education at www.ArlingonComminityEd.com. This is a hands on mosaic class in which we will delve into the history of mosaics, precision cutting techniques, color, design,  materials including adhesives, bases and of course, various tiles (tesserae) used in making mosaics.