Mosaic classes at Visual Expressions Creative Arts School include learning how to construct and apply mosaics for outdoor surfaces.  We are designing Texas-themed works for the concrete post supports around the school.  In an earlier blog post, I supplied a photograph of the jack rabbit created by Patricia VanBuskirk.  Today I am proud to display my armadillo, the crow by Joyce Ward and the lovely work of Kelli Howie who is making hand-made ceramic tiles with the names of Texas cities.  Kelli is one of the art instructors at Visual Expressions.  I highly recommend taking a field trip to Cedar Hill to check on our progress every now and then.  Have lunch or dinner at the  Ranch Steakhouse or Vera Cruz Cafe and take time to tour the school.  Classes and workshops are offered for both children and adults.

 

 

There are those moments when life seems to be magical.  In an urgent rush out my front door one morning I paused long enough to notice the candle was still lit in front of St. Frances.  Denny lights the candles in the garden every evening, generally long after I am asleep.  When I have seen them lit, flickering softly amidst the plants, warm glows on St. Frances and the Virgin, the effect is enchanting. 

 

 

A similar type of beauty and magic exists for me when I get to work with people I've never met and we create something together.  I was once so shy and afraid to participate in group projects.  Now these experiences occur for me as magical.  This afternoon we worked with the Ethiopian Evangelical Baptist Church Youth Group to create phase 2 of the stepping stone path for Dwell with Dignity.  We made twelve stepping stones in about two and a half hours.

 

I truly enjoy creating artwork for the garden.  The colorful patterns of mosaics lend themselves well to any outdoor setting.  This project is a bubbling fountain destined for a quiet garden in India.

I teach mosaic class Friday mornings in Cedar Hill at Visual Expressions Creative Art Studio.  The facility is a new, ranch style building set inside a Texas landscape. I am working with the art teachers and some of the students as we create mosaic applications for the concrete supports surrounding the exterior of the school.  We have lots of room for people to join us as we create our Texas-themed mosaic patterns.  Here is a photograph of Tricia VanBuskirk's jack rabbit.  Other completed mosaics include the names of Texas cities all made with hand-made tiles by Kelli Howie, a crow and cardinal by Joyce Ward, bluebonnets at sunset and an armadillo.  Come out and see us and keep stopping by as we continue to mosaic all around the school.