"The Wholeness of Happiness,” an abstract portrait in mosaic

April 05, 2024 by Johannah Willsey in Mosaic

We’ve been so lucky to work with quite a few repeat clients. It’s an honor to be able create something special for each client in the first place. To be valued and trusted for further projects is truly a privilege.

Johannah created this piece for a couple she has worked with quite a few times. In this case, the request came from one half of the couple to create an abstract portrait of the other half as a special gift. The portrait is based on a photo of the subject wearing a red shirt and glowing with happiness to be in a place that is meaningful to them.

Red and blue colored pencil sketch for a mosaic project — Design sketch for “The Wholeness of Happiness” mosaic

The photo was taken at the seaside, and so the client requested a sense of movement to convey the motion of wind and water. Together, we decided a circle best represented the feeling of wholeness conveyed by the experience of deep joy.

The circle is red to represent the subject in their red shirt. The background is blue-green to represent the water and wind. Each field of color contains highlights of the other color to show the co-mingling of place and time and the subject’s joy.

Red and blue mosaic art in progress on easel

Red circular mosaic in progress on easel

Red and blue circular mosaic art in progress

Red circular mosaic wall art on blue mosaic background — **The Wholeness of Happiness**

Gear Table, Take 2

March 29, 2024 by Johannah Willsey in Furniture

Here’s a hefty gear-inspired table modeled after the original Kyle designed and built for a hotel a few years back. Measuring 5 feet in diameter and 33 inches tall, this custom table weighs in at nearly 400 pounds.

Gear table before patina and finish

Finished gear table detail

Gear table with patina and finish

This client for this particular table is a car enthusiast with a home on the Great Lakes. Once he created the table, Kyle built scaffolding to support the top for delivery and hit the road. Here’s a quick video showing the table packed for delivery and landing at it’s new home.

Tables with Alicia Dietz Studios

March 01, 2024 by Johannah Willsey in Collaborations, Furniture, Local Love

We love working with artist friends and colleagues. It’s just so satisfying to put your ideas together with someone who is like-minded as a craftsperson. Plus— friends! Win win. It’s also a great way to stay connected to our community and expand the variety of work we can offer.

Alicia Dietz is an artist and woodworker Kyle collaborates with frequently, building metal bases and structures to support her wood and concrete furniture. Here are two of their recent pieces in walnut and steel.

First up is a small end table combining Alicia’s waterfall top with legs Kyle forged in his “forest” style. The video below shows his process for making them.