Please send me your email address if you’d like to be on my mailing list to get the latest mosaic news in Albuquerque! JillGat@gmail.com

July 9, 2022 Newsletter (Contact me to get on my mailing list if you’d like to receive my newsletters)

MOSAIC SCULPTURE CLASS BY ROGER EVANS (UPDATE: This workshop is now full)

Placitas artist and near-legend Roger Evans has been talked into sharing his extraordinary knowledge and offer a class for experienced mosaic artists, "Exploring Reinforced Thinset Forms for Tile Work." You may be familiar with Roger or at least his work; he created all the whimsical cow art at the various Range Cafes and is also a brilliant mosaic artist (see below). He arrived in Placitas in the 1970s when he was in his mid 40s, so you do the math. He is proof that while you are only young once, you can be immature all your life! Info. below. (I included a couple of pictures here in the actual newsletter)

Roger will be assisted by Lynx Lightning. This workshop is for Experienced Mosaic Artists. The goal is to help students actualize their visions for sculptural mosaic artwork (concrete ideas and sketches are requested a week in advance, for Roger to prepare adequately). Only a couple of spaces are available, so ACT FAST!

Cost is $300 + $65 materials fee for two days: August 20 and 27, 10-5pm at Roger's Placitas Studio (bring your lunch).

Please contact Erika at erikahardingmosaics@gmail.com to sign up, payment is required to secure your spot in this special opportunity.

A new book came out about and by Roger Evans this year (see below). (Again, in my emailed newsletter, I posted a picture here)

INTRO. MOSAICS CLASS AT MY HOUSE

I’m offering my 2 day mosaic art workshop at my house on Sept. 3-4, at the request of a couple of people who are coming from out of town. There is room for more students, so let me know if you are interested. My place is great for a class, because the house is full of my mosaic successes and failures AND now all my supplies and tiles! Lunch is provided and even wine, if necessary. Cost: $100 Contact me for more info. if you are interested. (There are still a couple of spots left!)

MOSAIC ART BLOG FEATURING ONE OF MY STUDENTS

The latest online How To Mosaic Blog by Joe Moorman, owner of www.mosaicartsupply.com features the work of one of my early students at UNM Continuing Education (if this is yours, please remind me of your name so i can credit you for this beautiful piece!). It is about the challenges of variegation in both the figure and the background of a mosaic piece - something that can make or break a mosaic art piece. You can find the piece here: https://blog.mosaicartsupply.com/mosaic-backgrounds-variegation/

WHAT i’M WORKING ON

I was asked to create a large (7 ft. by 7.5 ft.) mosaic piece for the lobby of a wonderful organization, Crossroads for Women. It’s going to be a Butterfly, which is their logo, incorporating plaques recognizing their donors. I’m about 3/4 done and it’s going to be beautiful, if I do say so myself. It’s made up of 5 pieces that will be installed as one: four wings and a body.

The other project I’m working on that is a new thing for me is tiling the front steps of my house. This includes repairing and reforming part of the steps with Quickrete first. The whole thing gives me the willies. Will post a picture when I’m done.

That’s all for now. Keep in touch!

Jill

October 13, 2021

Hi!

40% Off Sale: MARYLAND MOSAICS www.marylandmosaics.com is having their 40% off sale now through Sunday, so NOW is the time to order tiles (especially red and yellow tiles and other typically more expensive styles). I just did! Promo code is FALL2021 If you need Weldbond adhesive, order that too, because it can’t be shipped once there is freezing weather.

Classes: I just set up another Mosaic Art 101 class through Southwest Craft Connection Dec. 9 - Dec. 10, so if you’ve been waiting for an opening in an Intro. class, contact them right away to sign up. swcraftconnection.net (505)414-1787

The Mosaic Birdbath classes have been a big hit. To see the stunning pieces created by students, go to “Classes” on my website and scroll down to Student Birdbaths. Inspiring work! There is one more birdbath class on Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 through Southwest Craft Connection. It’s full, but call and get on the waiting list if you are interested.

The basic Mosaic Art 101 classes at Oasis Albuquerque (Oct 28-29 and Nov. 11-12) are also full, but there’s always a chance there are cancellations, so check with them if you are interested.

Mosaic Shows: Members of Mosaic New Mexico https://www.mosaicnewmexico.com/ will be exhibiting a big variety of mosaic art in a show called “Piece by Piece” at the Placitas Library, Oct. 23 - Dec. 2. The artist reception will be on Nov. 20th, 1pm - 4pm. I have a couple of pieces in the show, so come by and say hi! It should be a fabulous show.

Harwood Art Center’s 12 x 12 fundraiser art show starts the first week of December. As always, this is one not to be missed. I tiled another rotary telephone for this show.

Local Mosaic Guide Book! Our new booklet, Mosaics of Central New Mexico, A Self-Guided Tour is coming out soon! It has a map and photos of public mosaic art works all around our region. I got a sneak peak and it is a gorgeous publication. Can’t wait to share it!

All best,

Jill

MOSAIC ART CLASSES 2021

We’re just revving up after the pandemic, so watch this space for additions. I have several small group classes booked, so call if you want me to teach a group of 4 or more.

June 5 and June 12 (2-Saturday workshop) Mosaic Tile Your Own Terracotta Bird Bath at Southwest Craft Connection.

The first day we'll talk about the materials (which I will supply, including the terracotta saucer), learn to cut tiles and work on design.

Everyone will have time to get started tiling their birdbath in class, then will take cutters, tiles, mortar, etc. home to finish it. The next Saturday, we will grout them. https://www.swcraftconnection.net/.../mosaic-birdbath-class

Classes are back and running! Last week, we had a group of 5 in an Intro. to Mosaic Art class and they did wonderful work. It was held at Southwest Craft Connection, a beautiful, airy studio space in NE Albuquerque with nice wooden tables where you can spread out.

Below are some of the newsletters I’ve sent out in the past.

March 2021

Yes, we are still in the pan-damn-demic, but things are looking up! I was fortunate enough to get my vaccinations last month and I hope the rest of you have had or will have the opportunity to get your shots soon, too.

MOSAIC CLASSES! I’ve got one class scheduled next month and more are on the way. We will continue to follow public health precautions in the classroom to keep people protected.

April 10-11: Intro. to Mosaic Art at Southwest Craft Connection in NE Albuquerque. For details go to: https://www.swcraftconnection.net/ That’s the first scheduled class and there will be more… I’ll let you know.

Small group classes on demand: If you have a group of 4 who would like a mosaic class, either Intro. (indoor mosaics), Thinset Mortar (outdoor mosaics) or a custom idea you have, let me know. I may teach these on my back patio, but can come to your place, too. Cost: $95 each student for a two day class (four hours on day 1, two hours on day 2).

Spread the word and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

KEYSTONING. For some reason, this is not an intuitive technique for many people. But it’s very important to learn; especially if you want to make curvy lines, address number signs, etc. Once you practice it a bit, it will come very easily for you and make a huge difference in your work.

*NEW* MOSAIC TILE NIPPER DESIGN I just received a sample pair of the new XTreme Series tile nippers by QEP from https://mosaicartsupply.com/. They sent them to me to field test and folks, I think these are a GAME CHANGER. If you’ve taken classes from me before, you’ve had the chance to try a few different styles of wheeled nippers. So far, these beat them all, in my opinion. Pictures below. Here are some of the features that make these superior:

They are longer and have better handle padding. Because of this and better wheels, they make it EXTREMELY EASY to cut tiles with amazingly little force. Especially if you have arthritis in your hands, listen up. These are smooth as buttah.
There is a little switch so you can choose how wide you want the nipper handles to open. 0 is closed, 1 is for smaller hands 2 is wider for larger hands. Number 1 is perfect for me.
As I said, the wheels are better (not sure if they might be titanium) and they have numbers on them, so, when you loosen and rotate them to a new edge, you can keep track of the worn part you already used.
Speaking of rotating the wheels, you know when a wheel gets loose and you have to dig around to find an allen wrench to tighten them? There is an allen wrench included in a groove on the back of the nippers. Can you say ELEGANT? Swoon..

These are not available to purchase yet, but I will have them in my classes and at my studio if you want to try them out. I don’t know how much they will cost. Let me know if you are interested and I will let you know when they are available. They will be sold by Mosaic Art Supply.

Mosaic on Terracotta:

I get a lot of questions about tiling terracotta pots. Terracotta plant pots tend to shed and crack with weather changes, so I haven’t trusted putting tiled pots outdoors. But now I’m going to take the leap and tile a birdbath. I bought a large terracotta plant tray and have coated it twice with Thompson’s WaterSeal (see picture below). Will use thinset mortar and sanded grout for the tiles and it should be good to go. We’ll see!

Albuquerque Mosaic Art Map:

Our local group https://www.mosaicnewmexico.com/ is developing a Mosaic Art Map for Albuquerque and outlying areas, complete with color pictures and information on each of the installations. I can’t wait till it’s ready.. it will be exciting to see!

That’s all for now. Keep sending me pictures of your work. I love to see them and am thinking of adding a page to my website for student work, where I can show off your creations and tell a little about them and you.

Keep in touch (but not literally, yet)! Jill

Drop me a note any time.

Feb. 13, 2020

Hi New Mexico Mosaickers!

Happy National Tortellini Day (I don’t make these things up)

Just a few pieces of news and a poll.

POLL: Please raise your hand if you would be interested in taking my “Outdoor Mosaic (Thinset mortar) class if it were held on two weekdays (instead of a weekend). I don’t have the days yet, but it would likely be in mid-March. Mostly I am gauging interest and/or whether you’d be available to take it on, say, a Wed. and Thurs. Email me back: JillGat@gmail.com

In this class, we use the tile-on-mesh method to transfer a mosaic onto a small cement block, we tile the border by hand, complete a “found objects” piece and I demonstrate some other techniques.

SAMA CONFERENCE: The 18th annual Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) Summit is coming up May 12 - 17. I went two years ago (Boston) and last year (Nashville). This year it is closer to home: Tucson, AZ. I highly recommend this conference. It is appropriate for people at any level of mosaic experience and will take you to a whole new level. There are fantastic gallery shows, guided tours, a market place with mosaic vendors and a “Mosaic Marathon”, where a lead artist sets up a big mural or sculpture project in the conference hotel and anyone can work on it any time (they provide the materials, lots of tools and instruction). I learned a ton when I helped with these projects and it was great fun to work with some real experts. So many interesting people and things to see. It is not cheap ($450), but I felt it was worth it.

https://americanmosaics.org/tucson2020/

“HOW TO MOSAIC” BLOG: I am on the mailing list for www.mosaicartsupply.com, so I get occasional emails with interesting “How-To” tips from Joe Moorman (who runs that company). Past topics have been about grout color, outdoor garden sculptures, how-to steps to mosaic tile a mailbox (by moi), etc. They often feature work by one of his customers who has sent him pictures of their work and he evaluates it. One of my previous students was featured in a previous article about tiling Christmas ornaments. Here is the latest blog post I received: https://blog.mosaicartsupply.com/centering-mosaic-table-top-designs/#more-4060

RANGE CAFÉ “SHOW”: Not really a gallery show, but a number of my mosaic toasters and rotary telephones are on display around the dining room and in the gift shop at The Range Café in Bernalillo. Several apparently have been sold, so I’m not sure which ones are left. Good excuse to go up there for huevos rancheros (besides a good excuse to have huevos rancheros with the best view of the Sandias you will find).

If you don’t want to receive this newsletter anymore, please don’t hesitate to unsubscribe below. And thank you again to those of you who have sent me questions and pictures of your recent mosaic works!

Cheers,

Last Mosaic Update, 2019

Goodbye, 2019 (some would say Good Riddance)! A piece of trivia; in Trinidad and Tobago, they call New Year’s Eve, Old Year’s Day. Makes sense. They also say “Goodnight” as a greeting, which is hard to get used to (in the US, we say “good evening” as a greeting and “goodnight” when we’re leaving).

Looking for a quick, fun mosaic project to do in less than a week? Want to see one of your mosaic pieces hung in a gallery show? Another “Tom Sawyer” event, you say?

I have a show coming up at the Range Café gallery in January (not settled on what day it will start, but I’m guessing Jan. 4th). I have a bunch of toasters I’m going to display and need more mosaic toast to put in them! I can provide the toast-shaped substrate and all the fancy tiles you want, if you will make me some toast. I can grout it, too. Then it will go in the show. If the piece sells, I’ll give you part of the proceeds. If not, you can have your toast back, if you want it. Or leave it with the toaster (with your name on it) Let me know if you are interested!

Several people have asked about using contact paper and tile tape as an alternative to gluing pieces onto fiberglass mesh (for pieces that will be transferred to a permanent backer board after the mosaic is done. Here is Barbara Fitzgerald, demonstrating this technique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwAC_AIe8dM

Also, here is a piece from Joe Moorman’s blog (Mosaic Art Supply) on using Found Objects in mosaics.

https://blog.mosaicartsupply.com/using-found-objects-in-figurative-mosaics/

Peruse his blog for lots of ideas and advice. I have directions on how to do a mosaic mailbox in there somewhere, too.

My Intro. Mosaics classes coming up:

Oasis Albuquerque: Jan. 30-31 (Thurs. and Friday)

UNM Continuing Education: January 25th and Feb. 1st (the class is held on two consecutive Saturdays)

Oasis Albuquerque: Feb. 7 and Feb 10 (Friday and Monday)

Will have more soon, but haven’t set up another thinset mortar class yet.

Cheers!

Jill

First, some mosaic resources I kept promising to send out!

1. For stained glass (and stained glass classes, including mosaic art):

Hot Flash Glass

2111 San Mateo NE

Albuquerque

505-255-1151

2. Source for all kinds of foam to use for mosaic sculpture armatures:

Distribution International

6711 Edith NE

Albuquerque

843-7255

3. The book I share in my classes about mosaic sculptures (that great chair):

Sculptural Secrets for Mosaics, Julee Latimer (available on Amazon)

4. New Breda mosaic tile nippers

Better handling and designed to use less pressure. These will be especially appreciated by those with arthritis or who just want to avoid repetitive motion injuries. They will be launched in August. To learn more: www.getthebreda.com

5. Mosaic tile suppliers:

I get most of my tiles from www.mosaicartsupply.com and www.marylandmosaics.com I have a list of other tile suppliers, so email me for more!

6. Tint for thinset mortar:

SWH Art Studio: https://swhartstudioinc.wordpress.com . I can't figure out how to order it from her website, so best to send her an email or call her at 931-389-9649 to order it. Thinset mortar only comes in grey and white and usually it doesn't matter what color it is if used as an adhesive that doesn't show. But sometimes tesserae is set into thinset with no grout used, so it's nice to be able to tint it. I have only used the carbon black tint. Be sure to remember what ratio: tint to thinset you use so that you can replicate it.

What else did I promise to send out to you? Let me know.

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MY EMAIL MOSAIC NEWSLETTERS

I send out occasional emails to my mailing list, so send me a note if you’d like to have them sent to you. JillGat@gmail.com I will also post them here when I think of it.

Oct. 1, 2019

In this newsletter:

1.Mosaic Mural class in November by Lisa Domenici

2. Harwood Art Center Intro. class in November by Jill Gatwood

3. Tile Sorting Bash at Jill's studio!

4. 12x12 Harwood show December 7th (DO NOT MISS THIS)

5. The Gallery ABQ: inspiring show by Greg Lujan (metal and wood)

6. New Mosaic Mural at St. Marks on the Mesa Church by Manuel Hernandez and Lisa Domenici (in last Sunday's newspaper)

7. Jill's soap and coconut wax candles at a new meat shop opening

MOSAIC MURAL CLASS

I'm excited to announce that Lisa Domenici will be offering another Mosaic Wall Mural class, most likely the first weekend of November: 11/2-11/3. The finished mural will go up in a public space. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about process and installation of a mosaic wall piece. Please send me a note if you are interested, and I will put you on the list and send further details.

Lisa was the lead artist for the mosaic mural of La Virgen de Guadalupe on San Mateo, just north of Copper on the east side of the street (the Franciscan Friary). If you haven't seen this, you must go by.

OTHER MOSAIC CLASSES

Nov. 7-8: Oasis Albuquerque, Intro to Mosaics (I believe this one is full)

Nov. 16-17: Harwood Art Center, Intro to Mosaics (I think there are openings and it's in a great studio space!) https://www.harwoodartcenter.org/uncategorized/intro-to-mosaics-with-jill-gatwood/ to register (picture attached of student pieces from the last Harwood class)

TILE SORTING BASH!

I am going to try to reschedule this group effort to help me sort my mixtures of tiles on Oct. 26th (weather permitting, as it will be outside). It should be a fun social event and it will be at my studio, so if you need help with a project or want to grout something, you can do that then, too. Let me know if I should put you on the list.

12x12 HARWOOD EXHIBITION

DEC. 7TH, 6-8PM

This is the yearly fundraising event in which Albuquerque artists submit unique pieces on a 12x12 piece of wood and they are all sold for $144 each. There is live music, free food and the pieces (including mine!) are outstanding! Don't miss it. https://www.harwoodartcenter.org/upcoming-exhibitions/12x12-fundraising-exhibition-2019/

WOOD ON METAL, ART BY GREG LUJAN THIS FRIDAY

First Friday Event at The Gallery Abq, 8210 Menaul NE

Oct. 4th, 5-8pm

Within the mosaic genre, Greg's pieces are unique and beautiful. Stop by to see and support him (picture attached)!

NEW MOSAIC MURAL AT ST MARKS ON THE MESA CHURCH

I helped grout this mural one day and ended up featured in a picture in the Journal as though I had a lot more to do with it than that! The lead artist was Manuel Hernandez, who many of you may know. Brilliant piece. (Newspaper picture attached but go see the real thing.)

SOAP AND CANDLES, LIKE I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO DO

No Bull Prime Meats Open House: Oct. 12th, 10am - 4pm, free samples of various things. This new shop is opening on the corner of Griegos and 12th St. NW Beef, lamb, goat, pork all grown in New Mexico by a local guy. The store has more than meat though, and my natural soaps and coconut wax candles (with wooden wicks that crackle like a campfire) will be there, too! Try to stop by and say hello during the Open House.

That's a lot and I know I'll think of something else to tell you as soon as I press send. But I'll wait another month so as not to SPAM you.

As always, send me any questions or updates on your mosaic work.

Thanks!

Jill

.April 7, 2019

Just SOME of the latest news, and I know I'm forgetting some things, but I can't expect you to have a never-ending attention span... Before I forget, if you know anyone who would like to be on this mailing list, please forward this email to them and have them contact me to add them.

THINSET MORTAR WORKSHOP

There has been continued interest in this workshop that I hold at my house. The class gets better each time too, as I learn more myself about the various applications for thinset mortar. I'm going to be out of the country for the month of June, so am setting up dates in July and August for these classes. Tentatively looking at July 27-28 for the first one, so send me a note if you are interested and I will put you on the list. Cost is $100 for the two day workshop, which includes lunch and all the supplies.

I'm also setting up Basic Mosaic Art workshops starting in July through UNM Continuing Education, Harwood Art Center and Albuquerque Oasis.

PASSAGES MOSAIC ART SHOW

If you haven't been to the gallery show of works by local mosaic artists, it ends May 12th. If you aren't thrilled and inspired by these pieces by members of Mosaic New Mexico www.mosaicnewmexico.com , I will give you your money back. (It's free.)

Open Space Visitors' Center, 6500 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque

https://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/open-space/events/passages-at-the-gallery

PLACITAS STUDIO TOUR

THIS COMING WEEKEND is the Placitas Studio Tour, which I look forward to every year. It is a self-guided driving tour, visiting the many studios and workshops of artists in Placitas and it's a blast. Along with every kind of art you can imagine, there are many mosaic artists and it's a great chance to meet them and find out more about what they do.

www.placitasstudiotour.com

SAMA CONFERENCE

I just got back from the SAMA (Society of American Mosaic Artists) summit in Nashville, TN which - while ending up being hideously costly - was very inspiring. I learned so much and SAW so many mosaic works from other members that were nothing short of incredible. There were mosaic artists there from all over the world. I will attach some pics of one piece that I particularly loved. It was created by Anabella Wewer, who hand-cut the white marble for the "tablecloth" and used Litovi glass for the pink and red tiles making up the wine spill.

https://americanmosaics.org/ (still waiting to hear where the conference will be next year)

BREDA TILE NIPPER

Another reason the conference was so expensive was because I bought a lot of stuff at the Vendors' Show. One tool I had my eye on for awhile was the new Breda tile nipper, which is lighter and more ergonomically shaped, making tile cutting easier and requiring much less strength. I've had a number of students with arthritis or other conditions making the task of repetitive tile nipping challenging, and I think this will be a real option. I'm getting used to using it myself. I'll have it at my studio if you'd like to try it out.

https://www.getthebreda.com/

OFFER OF PLATES AND POTTERY SHARDS

Betsy Greelee, a local mosaic artist, is moving and getting rid of plates and pottery shards. If you are interested, you can email Betsy at elizalgreenlee@gmail.com She lives in the north valley, near El Pinto restaurant.

MOSAIC VINTAGE APPLIANCE SHOW

Yep, that's my old toasters, rotary telephones and other vintage appliances that I have been collecting/hoarding, and tiling whenever I get the chance. I am working out details now for a gallery show at The Range Cafe in Bernalillo in January, 2020.

SORTING TILES!

I still need to set up a Wine n' Tile Sorting event. I had to cancel the last one, and there was actually a lot of interest. This will be an opportunity to meet other mosaic artists and aspiring mosaic artists, drink wine, eat snacks and enjoy sorting all my mixed-up tiles. It's fun, in an OCD kind of way. Will let you know when I set a date.

STEALTH MOSAIC

I have started working on a secret anarchist public mosaic installation in Albuquerque. More later.

Thanks, and keep sending me pictures of your artwork!

Jill

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June, 2018:

I received a correspondence from the mail deliverer in Oakes, North Dakota (I think she's the only one!), asking about the price of an XL mailbox for the local newspaper, whose building recently burned down and they are in a new space. Because it was a sad story and also because it was a mail deliverer who asked, I donated it to them (just charged shipping). They put it on the front page of the paper!

My studio at the Harwood Art Center on Mountain Road is shaping up! Everything is organized on new shelf units and I tiled the window sills and painted the window frames green. I also have music and a pet mouse named Connie there. I get so much done there with no distractions from home. There was a gallery opening at the Harwood last week, along with open house for studios and I had a lot of visitors. Am so impressed with the amazing, eclectic artists upstairs from me at the Harwood!

Works in progress: Currently I am working on a commission mosaic mailbox, of course, and also adding to my Re-purposed Iconic Household Appliance collection. About seven toasters are tiled now and I have about 10 more vintage toasters ready to tile (help me stop looking at ebay, please). Some of them are so shapely and beautiful - shiny chrome with art deco etchings - that, if I have a show at some point (hopefully at The Range Cafe), I will have to display a few of them as is in their original 1930s condition so that people can appreciate them. On a whim, I picked up this coffee maker and re-purposed it for a betta fish tank.

People always ask if the coffee maker still works, but I don't think the fish would appreciate it if I plugged it in.

I did a free mosaic workshop at Habitat for Humanity ReStore recently and, while I was there, I scored a vintage sink. I coated it in a primer, "Eco Prim Grip", and am tiling it using thinset. When it's done, my plan is to put it on a pedestal with a tube and pump inside so that water will flow out the faucet. It will go in the front yard as a birdbath.

And look what just came in the mail today! It's from the year I was born...

Stay tuned for progress on this one.

Last weekend, 12 people came to my house for a Thinset Mosaic Workshop. The students tiled stepping stones which all turned out unique and beautiful (see below). For another piece, they layed a thick layer of thinset mortar (tinted black) onto a HardieBacker substrate and enbedded shells, wood, pebbles, nuts and bolts, smalti, etc. into it. No grout. This is basically how the ancient Romans worked.

Beautiful mosaic pieces! I hated to break them up when people took them home individually.

I have another thinset workshop at my house in August, mosaic classes coming up at Alegria (a retirement community in Bernalillo), a two day workshop through Oasis and one through UNM. They are all full. I will teach two 6 week mosaic classes through UNM starting on Sept. 12th (one in the afternoon, one in the evening.) I don't think they are posted yet so, if you are interested, watch for them because they fill up quickly.

Will post more pictures soon!

April, 2018: Lots of classes this month; in my home studio, Harwood Art Center and a Mosaic Mural class with Lisa Dominici at her studio. The April classes are all full, but I have classes coming up in June and July in my studio at UNM Continuing Education and through Oasis Albuquerque. Check the Classes page here for information and links to register. Drop me a note if you want to get on my mailing list to find out when new classes are added! Here is a picture of the beautiful pieces created by students in the weekend class on Apr. 7-8, 2018 at Harwood Art Center.

Next week I will get the keys to my new little studio at Harwood Art Center! I have a studio at home, where I also teach workshops, but I decided I also need a place away from all the distractions at home to work on commission mailboxes and toasters. I'll still be doing all kinds of mosaic madness at home too, of course.

March, 2018: I attended the Society of American Mosaic Artists conference in Boston this month! Blizzards outside, but incredible, inspiring (if not intimidating, in some cases) artwork inside. I met some great mosaic artists who I will now pester for advice on some of my new projects. Went on a mosaic tour of the city (old Italian mosaics in a church, floor mosaics at the state capital, the Ayer Mansion designed by Louis Tiffany, two fantastic local mosaic art shows). I attended a couple of workshops and - one of the highlights of the conference - helped work on a large mosaic mural that will be installed at the Boston Harbor.

One of the three panels that were connected into one mural.

February, 2018: I love transforming common household items into works of mosaic art that highlight the innate, iconic beauty of their shapes and purposes. My mosaic mailboxes have been very popular. Recently I started collecting vintage toasters, in love with their elegant shapes and art deco design elements. Toasters are a simple, mundane part of all kitchens that we take for granted. When re-purposed as art, we see them in a whole new light.

Some of these are still in-progress. I'm going to try to set up a Mosaic Toaster show, once I get them all finished (I now have about 20 vintage toasters, waiting to be dressed!)

Febuary, 2019

Hi!

A few upcoming classes and events you may be interested in:

Harwood Art Center, on Mountain Rd. and 7th St. is holding an Open Studios evening on March 2nd, 6-8pm. Come visit my studio and see my mosaic toasters and sink and wander around the rest of the studios, too. Some great artists at Harwood. There are also some gallery art exhibits going on that should be really good.

Speaking of Harwood Art Center, I am teaching a weekend Intro. to Mosaics workshop there on the weekend of Apr. 6-7 that still has openings. You can find out more info. here, so spread the word if you know anyone who might be interested: https://www.harwoodartcenter.org/weekend-workshops/introduction-to-mosaic-art-with-jill-gatwood/.

y classes through Oasis are full.

THINSET MORTAR Weekend workshop at my house still has two openings! You don't have to have any mosaic experience, but if you've taken one of my classes, this is the obvious next step. In this class we use two mosaic techniques on 7"x7" blocks that you can put outside. We also create pieces with found objects. And lunch is provided. Cost is $100, send a deposit of $60 to reserve a spot. These classes have been very popular!

Mosaic Art Show: "Passages" at the April 6th - May 12th at the Open Space Visitor Center, 6500 Coors Blvd NW. Pieces by the Mosaic New Mexico organization will be displayed. Seeing one of these shows some 13 years ago inspired me to delve into mosaic art myself. We have some of the best mosaic artists anywhere in Albuquerque!

Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) has their annual conference in Nashville, TN this year Apr. 23 - 27th. I went to this conference - that provides mosaic tours and workshops - last year in Boston and it blew my mind. I'm going back this year! I highly recommend it. For more information: https://americanmosaics.org/nashville2019/registration/

Okay, that's all I can think of for now. Please feel free to email me with any questions about any of these events, classes, or mosaic work that you are doing yourself. And I always love to see pictures of your projects.

Thanks!

Jill

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November 16, 2018

Hi all,

Read down to the bottom, where I have a special offer for people interested in attending an Intro. to Mosaic Art workshop.

WEBSITE: I am currently updating my website, www.mirafloresmosaics.com to add pictures of student artwork, new classes being offered and a few other things. The artwork by the UNM Continuing Ed. class in Sept.-Oct., 2018 is there now. If you were in that class and your piece is not pictured, please send me a picture of it so I can add it. Other classes will be added shortly.
I noticed, while perusing my own website, that some of the resources I keep promising to share with you are listed there. Where to get dense foam for mosaic sculptures, where to get thinset tint, etc. Take a look and let me know what I need to add.

VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE MURAL:We are almost finished with the Virgen de Guadalupe mural for the Franciscan friars! Will cement it to the baseboard this weekend and hope to install it soon. It is fabulous.

HARWOOD ART CENTER 12X12 SHOW:

Reminder: Harwood Art Center 12x12 art show opens the evening of Dec. 1st. Artists around the region were given a 12x12 piece of wood on which to paint, mosaic tile, create a sculpture on... whatever they want. Some of these are well-known, collectable artists. I got a pre-pre-view of them yesterday and this is the best collection yet! They all go on sale for $144 on Dec. 1st during the opening (proceeds go to Harwood Art Center). I am telling you... you need to see this show! There will be music and appetizers by many great restaurants.
THINSET MORTAR WORKSHOPS:I have two thinset mortar workshops coming up at my house: Jan. 12 - 13: FULLJan. 19-20: four openings!Contact me soon to reserve your spot.

SPECIAL DEAL ON SMALL GROUP INTRO. MOSAIC ART WORKSHOPS!

Most of the classes and workshops I offer through Albuquerque venues, including my house, range between $90 - 125 a person, and sometimes there is an added supplies fee.In January and February, on selected weekends, I will be offering small group workshops in my studio at Harwood Art Center. Cost will be $120 total for 2 people, $140 for three people, $200 total for four people. This is about half price, for a smaller class with even more tiles available.

This might be a nice Christmas gift for a few of your friends or family members. I can make up a gift card for you to give them.

These are the weekends available, so reserve now!

1/5 - 1/6

1/26 - 1/27

2/2 - 2/3

2/9 - 2/10

2/23 - 2/24

Thanks!

Jill

June 21, 2018

First, some mosaic resources I keep promising to send out!

1. For stained glass (and stained glass classes, including mosaic art):

Hot Flash Glass

2111 San Mateo NE

Albuquerque

505-255-1151

2. Source for all kinds of foam to use for mosaic sculpture armatures:

Distribution International

6711 Edith NE

Albuquerque

843-7255

3. The book I share in my classes about mosaic sculptures (that great chair):

Sculptural Secrets for Mosaics, Julee Latimer (available on Amazon)

4. New mosaic tile nippers currently in development;

5. Mosaic tile suppliers:

I get most of my tiles from www.mosaicartsupply.com and www.marylandmosaics.com I have a list of other tile suppliers, so email me for more!

6. Tint for thinset mortar:

What else did I promise to send out to you? Let me know.

MOSAIC WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

All of my mosaic workshops in June, July and August are full. It is possible that I will set up another thinset workshop in August and will let you know. In SEPTEMBER I will again be teaching the 6 week mosaic classes (once a week) through UNM Continuing Education. There will be one class in the afternoon and another class in the evening, starting on Sept. 12th. Watch for registration opening as this class fills up fast. I also have a two day workshop at Oasis Albuquerque, Sept. 24-25 (Mon. - Tues.).

Lisa Dominici's class on broken dishes mosaics this coming weekend was cancelled. There are still openings for her Mosaic Garden Art class.

Mosaic Garden Art

Friday July 20 11:00-3:00;

Saturday July 21 10:00-4:00

Sunday July 22 11:00-2:00

Learn to shape and waterproof dense foam to create an mosaic to hang on an outdoor wall or to place in your garden. Day 1: we will cut out a shape ( about 14”x14”) from insulation foam and then cover it with thinset and fiberglass mesh. Day 2: using your choice of tile and or glass, we will mosaic the piece using the direct method and thinset. Day 3: we will grout the mosaic, paint the back and adhere the hanging device.

As usual, I always love to see pictures of your current projects, completed and in progress!

If you'd like to come by and see my studio at Harwood, let me know and we can set up a time.

See you soon, Jill