Hi there, I hope you’ve got a grip on the season. Here’s a little round up of what I’ve been up to this year. Looking back, I can see why I’m looking forward to a bit of a break to enjoy the festive season!
Alongside all this, it only seems yesterday that my son (now in his incredibly busy third year) went to University, and now my daughter is ploughing through the fun and sometimes gruelling audition processes for Higher Education in September 2024. It’s possible I could have an empty house next year, what will I do? …. more mosaics of course!
Between the mosaicking, I found time for lovely trips to Mersea Island, Brighton, and Bath. Speaking of holidays, one is upon us now, and I hope you are enjoying a wonderful winter break, may you have a safe and healthy time. I will see you all in the New Year.
Class Acts
I loved working with many new and returning students — creating paving slabs, Barcelona style, copper foil flowers in spring, stained glass in summer, butterfly mosaic workshops, and this winter, a feast of robins, stars, and baubles with mulled wine as part of the Xmas series. I love how the designs and workshops mark milestones through the seasons and the year — I can’t wait to do it all again but differently. My new loyalty card has proved popular and some students are about to benefit from their ‘free’ class.I f you’d like to find out how that works, do get in touch.
I ran several classes with RHS Hyde Hall. It was an absolute pleasure to deliver a mosaic class to complete beginners in May with the backdrop of the fabulous gardens of the wonderful purpose-built Clore Learning Centre. The students created a mosaic garden mirror, and I was back at Hyde Hall in November and December this year to deliver ‘Mrs Mosaic’s Mini Makes’ and Mosaic Star workshops.
My next workshop at Hyde Hall is Mosaic Hearts Saturday 3rd February click below to book.
Exhibits
I had the privilege of exhibiting my work at several locations this year.
First and foremost, it adorned the walls of David Lloyd’s Café for two months from March.
I was delighted to have featured my mosaic work on the wall of Twenty One Southend under the pier for the month of June. It was a complete contrast exhibiting alongside Owen Harvey, whose photographs adorned the curved main wall, capturing our everyday life inSouthend on Sea. Check out his website here: https://owen-harvey.com
In October Two of my pieces were selected to be shown in the 59th Essex Open at the Beecroft Gallery — it’s on until 31st December (weds-sun 11-5pm) so there’s still time to see it, particularly wonderful, one of the pieces, puffin head had a red dot sold sticker on it within the first week.
Then whilst people prepared for Christmas in November, “Mrs. Mosaic Marvellous Mosaics” students, took over Leigh Community Centre. Their work adorned the corridors and staircases, including a special summer project I had set for them, while mine was displayed in the Cup of Leigh café on the ground floor. It was a busy month with lots of visitors, and the winner of the vote for favourite piece will be announced in the new year; one current student and one voter will both win a £5 mosaic voucher.
All’s Fair
I’ve collaborated with great local organisations to sell my work, such as Show Up Southend at Victoria Plaza during the ‘Big Up Southend’ events. Different artists gather on the last Saturday of every month, making it well worth a visit to support local handmade makers. I also had stalls at the fabulous Old Leigh Artists Market in May and August, enjoying mainly sunshine and a flock of visitors along with other local artists & makers. In December, I had a stall at Hadleigh Country Park’s fair on the same day as Show-Up Southend’s ‘Wonky Art Fayre” event in Rochford — quite a challenge juggling work at two places at once, but both went brilliantly.
Out and About
It was a great year to appreciate work by other artists as well. Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms at Tate Modern, Dan Flavin’s brilliant neons at David Zwimmer in Mayfair were a great start to the year. Closer to home, I enjoyed “DoubleTake” at Beecroft Gallery which featured Simon Monk and Jennie Sharman Cox. Their individual styles sat so well together and complemented one another. In June, I visited The People’s Gallery at Southend Library where my friend Nicola Osborne (what is it with that first name!) had a joint show of her work with the photographer Terry Mendoza, featuring his vibrant images of culture in Africa — a great collection, effectively displayed with Nicola’s bright Origins Paintings.
In July the photographer Matt from ‘Seen in Leigh’ visited my studio to capture some images to be included in a feature on local creatives work spaces. It was a sweltering hot day and I thought I was going to melt…let alone worry about the perspiration but the article was shared on socials a few weeks later and was a lovely write up from a very skilled interviewer! The article was published on instagram, click below to visit the site, read in full and see Matt’s talented page.
Finally, I just wanted to thank you all for your continued support with my small business, from your word of mouth to sharing my posts on socials, attending my workshops and classes to buying my mosaics, I am truly grateful for all you do.