By Page H. Gifford
Correspondent
Artist and former art teacher Eileen Butler discussed mosaics with members of the Fluvanna Art Association at its monthly meeting on Nov. 8. She showed some of her unique work, particularly a pair of old red Birkenstocks, which she couldn’t bear to part with, and turned them into stunning mosaic art.
“My love of mosaics began when we were building a house,” she said. Being the artist that she is, she wanted to incorporate some unique finishes in the house as it was being built. It began with a natural soapstone counter top for the kitchen, then she discovered pieces of pink tumbled marble, commonly found on beaches, and used it in a mosaic for the bathroom. “All I wanted to do was mosaics.”
She took it to the next level, working with third and fourth graders, teaching them mosaics. The completed student projects were then set into the floor of the entry of Jackson-Via Elementary School. Next became an entire school project with help from other community members, making the recessed outside entry more prominent with the design of welcoming arms done in mosaics.
This led her to a more focused study on the art of mosaics. She took a course on Byzantine mosaic, spending three hours just cutting stones.
“I get why we have to practice, but it was hard,” she said as she showed the heavy tile cutter with two lethal-looking rotary blades.
Like any artist, she loves her materials, like mirrored tiles, sea glass, and stained glass. She added that grout colors can be mixed or acrylic paint can be added to grout for different colors.
She did warn against grandiose designs and to start with the basics and start small.
“Make a sketch, a pattern, choose your tiles and colors, and lay them out on your pattern or sketch.”
