Cindy White, Mosaic Artist
Pennsylvania, USA
http://earthmothermosaics.etsy.com
earthmothermosaics@yahoo.com

Gallery Representation:
2010 - Art & Soul by Phoebe Gallery, Muncie, IN
2010 - Riverbank Arts, Stockton, NJ

Publications:
2010 – BREAKOUT! Your Pathway to Success by Brit Hammer (Chapter 9 – Nurture your tribe, pages 120-137)
2009 – Mosaic Yearbook 2009 CD, Mosaic Art 5, http://www.mosaicyearbook.com

Online Presence:
Etsy: http://earthmothermosaics.etsy.com
IndieMade: http://earthmothermosaics.indiemade.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/EarthMotherMosaics-Cindy-White/101853741152
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mosaic_queen2008/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/EMMosaics
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/earthmothermos/

Blogs:
Mosaics Blog: http://earthmothermosaics.wordpress.com/
Design Blog: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/earthmothermosaics
Personal Growth Blog: http://theviewfromearth-earthmothermosaics.blogspot.com/

About The Artist:
Art has always been a part of my life. Growing up in the late 1960's/early 1970's 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.

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 Grandmother brought me into this wonderful world of mosaics in 2005. I was truly born anew when I took a broken 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!!

In 2009-2010, I taught some classes on the basics of mosaic making for a few schools as part of their Continued Adult Education Curriculum. Although I enjoyed it very much, it was a limiting experience due to budget restrictions and space available. One day I'd like to have a dedicated art space to teach people of all ages some of the basic techniques I have learned through the years.

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Portfolio: