My newest mosaic was a very difficult project for me in many ways. When my sister-in-law passed away suddenly, earlier this year, I was attending a mosaic conference with the theme of healing through mosaic. Bernie was a kindergarten teacher in Palmdale, CA for 3 decades, and I learned that the school library would be dedicated to her. So, it struck me that I needed to make a mosaic to honor her, to be installed in the library. As soon as I was able to carve out time in my schedule, I started work on the portrait, determined to push myself and to make it an exquisite piece and to really honor her. I struggled sometimes to get the shadows just right, and I had to rip out and re-do sections more than once. I used orange, pink and purple for her face – colors of a sunset. I made it cheerful and bright, because that’s how I remember her, and I’m sure that’s how her students saw her.
Forest Chapel Restroom
September 25, 2024
