Funky, Textural Shower Mosaic Finished!

We just completed a residential bathroom mosaic with tons of texture and mixed materials and are super happy! The design is based on arabesque patterns and imagery personal to the client. Using so many different materials and setting the tile more loosely (for us) really inspired a new perspective. I wanted the design to have a mysterious or other worldly feel, as if you were in a suspended moment, or a slow motion dream. We decided the archways are passageways into other worlds or dimensions, like something you would find in one of my favorite childhood books 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' by C. S. Lewis or my recent obsession - Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' series.

By Rachel Rodi with production assistance by Carol Bevilacqua and Jen ODonnell.

Shower Mosaic Installation Almost Complete

We've been working on a bathroom mosaic with tons of texture over the last few weeks and are having a lot of fun. The setting is almost complete and ready for grout. The design is inspired by arabesque patterns and icons personal to the client, and the chunky style inspired by Isaiah Zagar's mosaics in Philadelphia and Oakland.

Production assistance by Carol Bevilacqua and Jen ODonnell.

Process of creating a mosaic dedication piece

We just completed a custom mosaic dedication piece made with hand made ceramic tiles, and wanted to share some of the steps it took to create it. This is a companion piece and dedication for the community mural we created at UCSF Medical Center last summer. It celebrates a beloved employee who recently retired. UCSF wanted the dedication to mirror the original mosaic in style, color and feel since it will be hung in a gathering place that looks out onto the pool and community mosaic. Here are the results! 

Pebble Mosaics with Interplay Design

Occasionally I get the opportunity to work with Interplay Design, helping them with mosaics for their custom water play features or other installations. It is always a fun collaboration where I learn new techniques and get inspired by different materials or approaches than I typically use. Interplay's water features can range from very stylized, abstract designs to more natural forms. For the mosaic work on this installation I was instructed to 'be the stream'. Lay out the stones as naturally as possible while creating a smooth-ish surface for the water to be able to flow down. The pebbles were left unsealed to increase the discovery factor for children who will play with this. Wasn't it magical as a child seeing rocks come alive and sparkle with color when they got wet? Here is the work before grouting or installation on site. It left me intrigued with the subtle and soft tones and shapes of pebbles.

Studio Space - Continuity in Change

For the last few years I have been blessed with a beautiful studio space inside of Institute of Mosaic Art, which was passed down to me by my first mosaic teacher, and now colleague and friend, Laurel True. There is a deep history in this space of fantastic art being made and dreams coming to life. So when IMA decided to move to a new location this summer I took the best of all approaches - I went into denial! After reality sunk in about losing my space, burning out my eyes on Craigslist, and a wee bit of panic, the most incredible thing happened. A local artist and long time friend of IMA decided to turn the old IMA, mosaic covered building into Jingletown Art Studios - studio rentals for artists! I am thrilled to say I am their frist tenant, and didn't even have to move in. 

Now it's time to get to the real work and make some mosaics!