There are many different styles in mosaic, from classical to modern/abstract, from whimsical to realistic, and more. Mary loves them all, and the artistry and creativity that mosaicists bring to their pieces. But what she is known for - and what this class is about - is achieving photorealism in mosaics. That is, starting with a photo, and rendering it with sufficient fidelity such that it is the closest representation to the original image that it can be. 

We will focus on the importance of (and techniques for) rendering light and shadow in a mosaic. In so many artistic mediums such as painting, photography, sculpture, and more, the difference between a really good piece and a less-successful one is how the light is treated and how it's translated into the composition. 

We will also explore the role of color in mosaics, and why photorealism hinges on using the entire range of hues, tones, and values. Choice of tesserae size is critical too. We'll practice different cutting techniques to achieve depth of field as well as textural variety.  

You will work from your own photos (pre-approval required). While a wide selection of glass will be available you may not find everything you need in house so you are strongly encouraged to bring your own glass supplies to the class to complete your pieces.

We will work the “direct method,” gluing stained glass directly on to a substrate. Not everyone will finish their piece during the class, depending on your speed and precision, but everyone will leave with a strategy for doing so. This is NOT a class for absolute beginners. You should have a moderate amount experience in creating mosaics and at least basic glass cutting skills.