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Art has always been a part of my life. Growing up in Lambertville, NJ a river town only a small bridge away from New Hope, PA in Bucks County, I had the pleasure of walking over the Delaware River daily into a whole universe of creativity. The smells of the water and fish from the river, strawberry incense and Hendrix guitar licks wafting through the head shop just off of the bridge into town is my most distinct memory. As a teenager, I found the psychedelic posters and trippy music within the store a favorite place to go. At the time I didn't realize that everything has an energy to it but even as a young teenager I felt an electric spark that would stay with me forever during those early years. I felt at home walking along the street gazing at all the shops filled with abstract paintings, pottery, being so close to theatre, coffee houses, restaurants with live jazz bands and boutiques of all kinds. These were my people! Living close enough to walk to a town filled with artists was a blessing although I didn't appreciate it at the time. It helped shaped who I am today as a contemporary abstract mosaic artist. An energy never lost by the muse who guides me now was made throughout those early years just a stone's throw, literally, from New Hope.

I was born in 1954; we had a very 50's traditional set up when I was growing up. Dad worked in an office as an executive, Mom stayed home and took care of her grandparents and me. But we were also very different. Dad had a woodworking shop in the basement and repaired tables, chairs and many other things. He made a lot of furniture using simple tools and beautiful pieces of wood. In his youth, he apprenticed with George Nakashima. The Mid-century modern furniture style that is associated with Nakashima has stayed with me throughout my life. It is the style I find comfort in, feel at home around and must touch whenever possible.

My Mom made all of my clothes for many years. She sewed all of her aprons she wore not just for special ocassions but for every day. She really did do housework in a skirt, apron, heels and pearls when I was very little. I remember the day she put on a pair of jeans and a large sweatshirt and let out this sigh of relief. As a young woman in my 20's, when I dressed for success for my office jobs, I used to let out that same sigh of relief once the stockings, heels and makeup came off at the end of the day. In between making us all happy and keeping us healthy, she cooked, cleaned and found time to sew and knit.

Parties were awesome in our home. Holidays were truly celebrated in style that would rival many even today. Artists from both our town and the one across the river would gather there. There was wine, jazz music, good food and laughter.

My mosaics are often made using small scrap pieces of stained glass and recycled mirror. Pieces of broken dishes and mugs are used giving them new life. I'm reminded of watching my Dad taking a broken piece of furniture and making it useful again. In my own way, I do this with mosaics. Discarded wine and beer bottles become bottle art that shine and glow when placed in a window or near a lamp. Microwave plates become sun catchers filled with color. Bowling balls that are cracked or collecting dust in closets becomes a themed mosaic garden gazing ball. Broken pieces of jewelry, buttons, seashells, rocks and stones get placed in my work and are often focal points.

A broken plate belonging to my Dad's Mother brought me into this wonderful world of mosaics. I was truly born anew when I took my grandmother's Blue Willow plate and slapped some glue down on a piece of wood. Once grouted, my life transformed forever. Starting out slowly by giving trivets to everyone in my family, then branching out a little bit towards wood trays, flower pots and frames, I eventually found what materials I liked, how I liked to use them and what tools were my favorite. It should come as no surprise to learn that my design preferences involve suns, crescent moons, sparkly stars and swirls or wavy lines of intense color used in an abstract way. Geometric shapes of stained glass and mirror are used to create what I call scrap art. When using dish tiles or shards my style can be associated with folk art.

The name "EarthMotherMosaics" came about after being called, "Elf Mother" because of my small stature by a co-worker. Because I am still new to the art involving elves and fairies and magical creatures of all kinds, I thought perhaps being called "Earth Mother" would suit me. I love whimsy and may one day try my hand at making more magical designs but for now, using earth colors in stained glass and designs with the sun and moon are good enough.

A lot of me goes into every piece I work on. Each piece gets talked to, told how beautiful it is and hugged often until it leaves my home. Nurturing my art allows the art to nurture me. I mourn the larger pieces I've worked on when they leave me. I have that empty nest feeling for a few days or even a few weeks depending on how long it took me to work on it. I'm not ashamed to say I feel the loss. I'm proud of my work and would love everyone to find the joy I feel when making mosaics. Everyone should have at least ONE mosaic in their home!!

For fun, I like to make daily virtual tours on Etsy and create Treasury's. I have found so many wonderful artists through this site and felt I needed to share their work. I was prompted to create a blog called "Eye for Design and Color" on tumblr. Each week I have a theme, pick an item daily and at the end of the week I share them all in a blog post. My blog on tumblr is fairly new and leans towards the mid-century modern and vintage style in home decor. Once in a while I will hone in on jewelry or some awesome creation made in copper. I'm reminded of memories of looking at copper pieces of art as a teenager walking through that amazing town. I gladly embrace it.

My weekly treasury for Etsy on Monday is blogged, shared with many through the teams I belong to on that site and on my Facebook page. Those that follow my blog get a weekly post "In the Studio" describing what I'm working on and how it's going. Usually I share many tips along the journey as a self-taught mosaicist.

Custom orders (including gazing balls) are being phased out as of April 1, 2012. Due to a recent work-related injury, I've cut back on my hours at the work table and want to spend the now limited time doing what I love which is creating as the spirit moves me. I'm happiest when I'm doing mosaics at my own pace, creating something from the heart and soul. I will continue to list items as often as possible as they are made.

I am always available to chat through email and obviously I love to ramble about just about anything as you will have noticed if you've read the above.

You can find me on Facebook. I blog about the treasury's I make on Etsy, also using featured items by my fellow Etsians in a blog called "Eye for Design and Color", and take many photos of my work-in-progress that I'm always happy to share.

Stay peaceful,
Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics~

www.earthmothermosaics.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/pages/EarthMotherMosaics-Cindy-White/101...
earthmothermosaics.wordpress.com
earthmothermosaics.tumblr.com

Cindy, EarthMotherMosaics
Pennsylvania USA
2012