"Carpe Diem" by Cassidy Burkhart

Sometimes you choose your teacher, other times not.  My children attended an awesome school that challenged them beyond the norm, their montessori beginnings were put to the test.  Stretching and growing can be uncomfortable at the time, but in retrospect so beneficial.

Both of my children had the JOY of learning mosaics from me.   In their pre-teen and adolescent years they created some amazing, award winning works.  I remember rumors floating around at the time that I made their mosaics…that their pieces weren’t truly their own.  They will both confirm with strong emotion that all of the work is theirs….as my son fondly remembers, diligently working on a piece after school on his birthday for an upcoming competition. (I may have been standing over his shoulder with whip in hand, I forget.)

Every teacher has their own style. And perhaps it is rooted in their strongest most passionate drive.  For me, that’s ‘excellence’.  Working in an art form that could last millennia, doesn’t it make sense to do it with excellence?  If you want to learn to make EXCELLENT mosaics; in execution, andamento, color, design, material, I’m your man…woman…

The first class I’m offering is Intro to Micro Mosaics.  And this will probably be my most relaxed subject.  You can’t get too detailed in such a small format.  But I’ll be moving to Intermediate Micro Mosaics in the Winter…so if you want to get on board, this train is about to pull out of the station.

Are you content with average?  How do you want to be remembered?

© Vicki Hanson-Burkhart

I can remember saying many times, “I don’t do micro mosaics.”  I like to work in fine detail, but don’t enjoy cutting minute pieces.  Until I actually tried real Micro Mosaics, I had no idea how fun it actually was.  To me, it feels like doing a cross-stitch or needlepoint project, stress free, relaxing…  And it’s the perfect kit project, the perfect gift for that perfect someone who has everything.

Made with thin strands of Venetian glass called Filati, these are truly little gems.  Traditional methods and materials, meet good old American ingenuity and creativity.  I love the idea of using a centuries old medium to speak in contemporary terms…behold, the “Hashtag Micro” (pictured), my ode to the love of Twitter and joy of making an impact in Social Media.

Announcing two opportunities to make a piece like these, or a design completely your own.

Intro to Micro Mosaics

Saturday, May 19  OR Saturday, June 16

10:00am – 5:00pm

Make your own Venetian Glass Micro in a custom walnut or birch frame.  All tools and materials included.

Held in my studio at Ciel Gallery + Mosaic Studio, 128 E Park Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203

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In your business or industry is there a really BIG EVENT or award or recognition that you dream about, or hope for, or seek? I am thrilled to announce that my mosaic, “Day 5” has been chosen from over 300 entries from 10 countries to be one of 55 pieces in the Mosaic Arts International Exhibition at the Lexington Center Museum and Gallery, Lexington, KY, Mar 2-Apr 30, 2012. In my world, THIS IS the REALLY BIG SHOW!

(Part 14 – Day 5 Layers of Meaning)

This last portion of the cycle around the tree is a season of overcoming. (Reddish brown section to left) Gradual baby steps lead to giant leaps of faith. After a time of hiddenness and molding this season feels uncertain. You desire to step out but something has changed in you along the way. You have traded in being your own boss and are now looking to God for His perfect will and timing in everything. You have learned that when He is the initiator there is supernatural reward. You’re no longer satisfied in what you alone can accomplish. When God is working, waves of exponential return flood in one after another. You’re no longer asking What can I do to succeed. Your gaze has widened to What is God up to and What is my part?