Mosaics

Our Process

• Design:  The design process begins with a conversation with the main objective being a clear understanding of our clients’ vision. We listen closely to our clients’ desires and identify key features that will help bring their vision to life. The design itself is accomplished through a variety of sketch, watercolor, colored pencil, and digital modeling. All throughout this process we collaborate with our clients by sharing photos and soliciting feedback; our client is an important part of the Inspired Artisans team in this regard. Once the design is approved by the client a full-sized drawing is prepared in reverse so that we can use it as a template.
• Sourcing Material: The majority of the mosaics we do are made using Venetian Glass from Murano.  We also make mosaics in Marble and Glazed Ceramics.
• Creation: Using specialty mosaic tile cutters and a sharp hammer and wedge we shape the glass pieces to follow the contours of the design.  Those pieces, called Tessarae, are glued to the template using a water-soluble glue and when all the pieces have been glued on, we cut the template into smaller sections for safer handling.
• Installation: The sections are then installed onto a backerboard or directly onto the surface where the mosaic will be, and once they are firmly adhered to that substrate, we spray water on the face up mosaic to remove the paper template.  The mosaic is then grouted and cleaned.

Additional Styles

Mosaic is one of the oldest decorative arts dating back to Mesopotamia.  Early artists used pebbles to create simple mosaics, however as time passed the designs and materials refined.   Artists in Ancient Greece are credited with giving more structure to the artform through an emphasis on precision in their detailed designs.   Mosaics were made less exclusive and more common by the Romans.  There are still many Ancient Roman sites that exhibit mosaics, going to show how durable not only the materials are but also the artform.  As Christian Basilicas were built in the late 4th century, figural mosaics became more popular taking influence from painting techniques.

Mosaic art was not only happening in Europe at this time.  Artists all over the world were creating mosaics in materials native to their regions.

Mosaics were a key part of Byzantine art from the 6th to the 15th, and the more iconographic style is still very popular. The use of special glass tessarae known as smalti was also popularized during this time.  Although techniques and materials have improved over time, the consistent popularity of the style is a testament to its timelessness.