In order to keep her work fresh and exciting Paula likes to try new approaches for the art market. She recently received some old windows from a neighbor who is doing some remodeling. Since she has always been a proponent of green art she decided to try putting a mosaic on the reclaimed window so that it would appear that you are looking out of the window onto a wonderful scene. In her first attempt she composed a moonlit night scene with a plant sitting on the window sill. This piece received great feedback and compliments when shown during the Durham Art Walk this spring. The new owner of the piece can be seen in the picture. The overwhelming response to this piece has inspired Paula to create more unique pieces on the reclaimed windows. If you are interested in your own custom window scene please contact Paula.

Paula's piece Trust won 2nd place in the mosaics category in Delphi's 2009 Online Art Glass Festival Show. This in an annual online show sponsored by Delphi Glass. This piece was part of the Meditation series that Paula completed last year. To see the award page click here and then select the Mosaics category for 2009.

Just because I can create art doesn’t mean I can teach you how. Isn’t that true? Well, after nine years of refining my craft and teaching (plus the 10 previous years I worked in the corporate world giving presentations and leading projects) I think I can. Some of my keys to satisfied students are:

• give a straight-forward overview of the project at hand first without embellishment
• provide handouts with step by step explanations so that participants do not spend time taking notes
• have ready-made examples of each step (it is very hard to visualize something you’ve never seen)
• keep to one technique at a time
• allow for questions after key demonstrations
• ALWAYS encourage participants to ask any questions and ALWAYS remind them that each technique is not a talent, it is a skill that they must practice in order to achieve perfection

These are a few of my “tried and true” practices. – I hope to see you in one of my classes soon!

Hello All,

In this entry I want to showcase another fine custom work by Paula. She is working on a patio table as a birthday gift. Don't worry, they already know about all of the eyes. As a matter of fact they picked out the theme of the table. As it goes this person had eye cancer at one time and beat it! So, images of eyes play a big part in this person's life. Paula has taken that them and run with it in her own creative way. Below you can see her interpretation of the theme.



She is using unglazed porcelain tiles on a metal table. Just getting the table ready is a story in itself. Thanks to a fine metalsmith and friend, Jimmy Alexander, for making the table top and the rim. The rim protects the edge pieces of the mosaic from damage.



She is allpying the tiles to a mesh backing, just like she di for the kitchen project. She will then adhere the mesh to the table with thinset mortar, then grout and seal. This will provide a lasting piece that should be able to sit in a covered or open area outdoors for small gatherings and dinners. I'm sure this piece will be the talk of the party. At least I hope it will.

Until next time

The Mosaic Husband

Paula has just finished the most wonderful backslpash project. I actually don't think that a backsplash truly describes this project. It is an image of a tree that is anchored behind the stove and runs up to the ceiling around the stove vent. Then the piece trails from there all around the kithcen in what would be a more traditional backsplash. It was a total of 40 square feet of work. She constructed the piece in her home studio using mesh panels and put it togerther like one big jigsaw puzzle. This piece took her about 150 hours to complete including the installation. She even had to get me to help at some points. This was the largest project that she has done to date and hopes that this will lead to even larger projects. Of course, she says "I will NEVER tackle a project like this by myself again!!"  Anyhow, just take a look at the pictures and you will be able to see the effort in this project.

These are pictures taken by our great photographer Diane Amato. These were submitted to SAMA in the architectural category. We hope to get them published in some magazines this winter.










And here are some shots of the piece in progress. These were taken by us.