Miniature Mosaic Landscapes

This series of landscape mosaics grew out of Johannah’s initial exploration of tiny mosaics and of course, her continued interest in the full moon.

The first set featured the full moon as well as a few sunrises over a series of her favorite landscapes like forests, mountains, and open water. She created these mosaics from stained glass set in black-tinted mortar.

For the next group she created, Johannah added unglazed porcelain to the stained glass. The flat, saturated color of the ceramic contrasts in such a lovely way with the opaque shine of the glass. She expanded the types of landscapes as well, looking to open fields, rolling hills, train tracks, and waterfalls.

This latest group hearkens back to the forests and sunrises of the original set, while offering a new take on mountain views.

You can find the current mountain landscapes in our shop, available with free shipping.

Tiny Mosaics art series

Johannah has been exploring a new-to-her technique of setting tesserae (mosaic tile) directly in mortar, rather than gluing tiles and then grouting over them. This is the method used to create the ancient Byzantine and Roman mosaics, as well as an ever-growing body of gorgeous work by modern mosaic artists. She's created a line of miniature pieces in this technique using reclaimed and found materials alongside traditional smalti, a thick opaque glass.

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Working in groups or series is a great way to explore an idea from multiple angles. The top two photos are pieces that center on a found object. The tiny dolls in the top left poke fun at the unrealistic body imagery our culture has for women and men alike. The shape of the found object itself is the focus in the three pieces in the top right photo.

The series in the bottom left photo are miniature landscapes: snow shadows, a drop of rain in a puddle, and a view of kudzu overtaking a rusty train bridge. Finally, the series in the bottom right plays with all sorts of ideas: texture, pattern, color, and negative space, just to name a few!

These last two series started out as lines created from reclaimed terracotta pottery. These pieces are all about the material: the soft color and rich texture of the terracotta, as well as the way the terracotta plays against the bright blue and green reclaimed ceramic and soft gray of the concrete.

You can find a limited selection of these tiny pieces up in our Etsy shop

Made in RVA Take 2

Next week, we’re excited to take part in Made in RVA Take 2. This is the second annual show of local handcrafted furniture & furnishings hosted by Richmond's awesome independent furniture store, LaDiff.

We created three new pieces of furniture as well as a line of mosaics just for this show. Take a peek at a few process photos below.

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Kyle created the shelves and body of this media console in cherry. The legs are forged steel with hammer texturing along the length and fold-formed feet. The edges of the shelves are clad in riveted steel.

Johannah is exploring a new-to-her technique of setting tesserae (mosaic tile) directly in mortar, rather than gluing tiles and then grouting over them. This is the method used to create the ancient Byzantine and Roman mosaics, as well as an ever-growing body of gorgeous modern mosaics. She's created a line of miniature and small pieces in this technique using reclaimed and found materials alongside traditional smalti, a thick opaque glass.

Last but definitely not least, Kyle made a pair of sleek-lined end tables with walnut tops and forged solid steel legs.

Come on by the opening reception or stop by in the next few weeks to check out these pieces along with the work of 12 other local artists and artisans, beautifully displayed in the LaDiff show room in Shockoe Bottom. Hope to see you there!