Abstract Steel and Mosaic Tabletop Sculptures

And the collaborations continue to evolve…

A big difference created by the move to our new studios is the ability to work more closely together. In the past, one of us worked at the studio while the other stayed at home with our two kids. Time to put our heads together over a project required planning and coordinating schedules.

Now that our studios are on the same property as our home, we can pop over to the studio for a brainstorm session or just a quick check-in for an opinion from the other person. It’s a much more efficient way to collaborate!

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These three tabletop sculptures are the first products of this new way of working together.

First Kyle forged three different shapes based on loose sketches. From there, Johannah chose colors and designs based on the shapes of the sculptures. Lots of fine-tuning conversations took place before, between, and after each step.

The flaring shape of the first piece brought a candle flame to mind. The teardrop look of the second piece made us think of water. These sculptures are two-sided with the same mosaic colors and designs on both sides.

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For the last piece in this first group of sculptures, Kyle created a shape inspired by sunrise over a beach that has a special place in our lives. Johannah created a sunrise mosaic on the first side. Unlike the first two sculptures that are the same on both sides, we decided the opposite side of this piece called for something different. Johannah made a moonrise mosaic for the second side. We call this finished sculpture “Shoreline.”

This piece and the blue one have sold, but the candle flame-inspired sculpture is available with free shipping!

Hummingbird Mosaic for a Kitchen Backsplash

A client commissioned these custom mosaics to honor a hummingbird-loving family member. They were renovating their kitchen and wanted to include this special memory in the new backsplash.

The client provided imagery of hummingbirds they associated with their family member, as well as fabric and tile samples related to the renovation. We ended up designing two different hummingbirds:

• one hummingbird in darker colors to match the inspiration image

• the other hummingbird in lighter colors to coordinate with the new kitchen.

You can see in the sketch we originally thought we’d create a green border around the hummingbird but ultimately decided to leave it off.

Hummingbird mosaic image inspiration

Hummingbird mosaic sketch

Lighter hummingbird mosaic material selection

Darker hummingbird mosaic material selection

Darker hummingbird mosaic in progress

Once the two mosaics were complete, we installed the darker one in a custom metal frame. We grouted the lighter mosaic, leaving a gap around outside edge to allow it to be installed in the new backsplash.

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You can see the lighter hummingbird installed in the backsplash below. It’s always such an honor to work on projects that are personally meaningful to the client.

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Blue Ridge Mountains Mosaics

As nature-lovers in Virginia, it’s no surprise we’re drawn to the iconic imagery of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Over the years Johannah has created a variety of mosaics featuring the mountains.

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Though we don’t hike these beautiful mountains as often as we’d like, we do try to get there a few times a year. Every single visit is such an inspiring and mind-clearing experience. Returning to the studio after one hike, Johannah developed the idea for a larger landscape of the mountains. This mosaic would include three panels and feature the rocky outcroppings so common to the Blue Ridge.

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Humpback Rocks, photo by NPS

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Blackrock Summit, photo by NPS

The basic composition Johannah had in mind included an outcropping and a pine tree, with the mountains in the distance beyond. While some ideas come to mind fully-formed, this one took a few twists and turns as it came into being. First it took a few tries to land on a way to illustrate the pine tree she found satisfying. Later, once the mosaic seemed complete, something still felt missing. She decided a mosaic frame around the three panels would pull it all together.

Pine tree attempt #1

Pine tree attempt #2

Pine tree attempt #3, success at last!

Almost done but something's missing...

A border pulls it all together.

The resulting mosaic landscape was included in our exhibit as guest artists of the month at Crozet Artisan Depot a few years ago. What better place to display this piece than a little town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge!