As the youngest in a string of six artistic siblings, I was exposed to music & fine arts at an early age. 
While majoring in music, I enhaned my schedule with ceramics, drawing, painting & martial arts. After earning a masters degree in music from Arizona State University, I moved to San Francisco, and quickly became involved with a community of improvisational musicians, composers and artists. As a freelance trombonist & part time office slave, I managed to save enough money for my dream trip around the world.
A year long solo journey took me to Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Israel, and Egypt. Before long I was living in Kuching, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, teaching & playing music. Being a faculty member in the Music Department at the newly established University of Malaysia, Sarawak was an exciting & unforgetable experience.
From my central South East Asian locale I had the opportunity to travel extensively in most of the neighboring countries. During these adventures, I collected unusual art, including textiles and musical instruments, representative of local cultures. With each excursion I became increasingly fascinated with the indigenous art which surrounded me!
Earlier, in my San Francisco days, I was introduced to mosaics by my sister, Elizabeth Raybee, an internationally known artist. Assisting her on several large mosaic installations and creating other small pieces of my own, I held a strong desire to return to mosaics somehow, someday, somewhere.
Soon after settling in New Orleans in 1999 my love for mosaic was rekindled while creating a table for my partner Mark's birthday. It left him unusually speechless and forever supportive of my artistic endeavors. Mark's enduring support frees me to be creative & experimental!
I stayed busy playing trombone with the legendary Deacon John & the Ivories, yet found ample time to indulge in my passion for mosaics. After Hurricane Katrina everything changed. I took it as an opportune time to fully focus my energies on creating Mosaics.
We have recently relocated to the beach, 200 miles East of New Orleans, on the Florida Gulf Coast! It's a gorgeous place to live, with inspiration all around.
Each of my mosaics are individually designed with great care and attention to detail. I enjoy using a combination of techniques & materials in a single mosaic, creating texture & movement. Something you want to reach out & touch. I hope you enjoy browsing my website. If you see something you love, don't hesitate to call for pricing, or to discuss a commission designed & created specifically for you!
While majoring in music, I enhaned my schedule with ceramics, drawing, painting & martial arts. After earning a masters degree in music from Arizona State University, I moved to San Francisco, and quickly became involved with a community of improvisational musicians, composers and artists. As a freelance trombonist & part time office slave, I managed to save enough money for my dream trip around the world.
A year long solo journey took me to Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Israel, and Egypt. Before long I was living in Kuching, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, teaching & playing music. Being a faculty member in the Music Department at the newly established University of Malaysia, Sarawak was an exciting & unforgetable experience.
From my central South East Asian locale I had the opportunity to travel extensively in most of the neighboring countries. During these adventures, I collected unusual art, including textiles and musical instruments, representative of local cultures. With each excursion I became increasingly fascinated with the indigenous art which surrounded me!
Earlier, in my San Francisco days, I was introduced to mosaics by my sister, Elizabeth Raybee, an internationally known artist. Assisting her on several large mosaic installations and creating other small pieces of my own, I held a strong desire to return to mosaics somehow, someday, somewhere.
Soon after settling in New Orleans in 1999 my love for mosaic was rekindled while creating a table for my partner Mark's birthday. It left him unusually speechless and forever supportive of my artistic endeavors. Mark's enduring support frees me to be creative & experimental!
I stayed busy playing trombone with the legendary Deacon John & the Ivories, yet found ample time to indulge in my passion for mosaics. After Hurricane Katrina everything changed. I took it as an opportune time to fully focus my energies on creating Mosaics.
We have recently relocated to the beach, 200 miles East of New Orleans, on the Florida Gulf Coast! It's a gorgeous place to live, with inspiration all around.
Each of my mosaics are individually designed with great care and attention to detail. I enjoy using a combination of techniques & materials in a single mosaic, creating texture & movement. Something you want to reach out & touch. I hope you enjoy browsing my website. If you see something you love, don't hesitate to call for pricing, or to discuss a commission designed & created specifically for you!
Gallery Representation
Blue Morning Gallery, Pensacola FL
Gumbo Art Gallery, Pensacola FL
The Garten Hut, Perdido Key FL
Humidity Gallery, Tallahassee FL
Orange Beach Art Gallery, Orange Beach AL
Exhibits
"Flights of Fancy", Juried Group Show, Ciel Gallery, Charlotte NC, April - May 2010
"Eclectic Blues", Juried Group Show, Blue Morning Gallery, Pensacola FL, Jan - Feb 2010
Maplestone Gallery, Creemore Ontario Canada, Dec - Feb, 2010
"Winter Whites", Ciel Gallery, Charlotte NC, Nov - Dec. 2009
"Faces", Ciel Gallery, Charlotte NC, February 2009
"Unseen", Ciel Gallery, Charlotte NC, January 2009
Satchmo Fest, Crescent City Brewhouse, New Orleans LA, August 2008
Solo Exhibition, Julie Neill Designs, New Orleans LA, March, April 2007
Elizabeth's Restaurant, New Orleans LA, 2005 - 2006
Solo Exhibit, Bywater Bar-B-Que , New Orleans LA, May 2004, 2005
Musicians Art Exhibit, Scottish Rite Temple, New Orleans LA, April - May 2004
Archipelago Imports, Orange Beach AL, December 2003, November 2004
Bloodworth-Hall Interior Design Gallery, Pensacola FL Aug - Dec 2003
Morgan West Gallery, New Orleans LA, January 2003, April 2003
Fresh Arts Festival, New Orleans LA, October 2003
Bywater Art Market, monthly 2002 - 2003
Art in Algiers, New Orleans LA 2002
Merliton Festival, New Orleans LA, 2002
Bibliography
Breakout: Your Pathway to Success, Britt Hammer, 2010
Mosaic Renaissance: Millefiori in Mosaics, Laurel Skye, featured in Artist Gallery, 2009
The Pelican, Featured Artist, December 2009
Southern Coast Home Design Magazine, Featured artist, June/July 2009
Inside Out, Times Picayune, February, June & August 2007, February 2008
Mosaic Year Book CD, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Home & Garden TV, Crafters Coast to Coast, Featured Artist, September 2004
Groutline, Society of American Mosaic Artists, Artist Feature, Spring 2004
WWNO Interview with Diane Mack, New Orleans, May 2004
New Orleans Magazine, November 2002
RedDot Magazine, New Orleans, December-January 2002/3
Blogs
Mania & Mischief, June 2008
Listen to my Artbeat, May 2008
Mosaic Art Source, February 2008 & 2009
Commission & Installation Information
e-mail Gila Mosaics
or call (850) 791-1070
Studio visits available by appointment.
e-mail Gila Mosaics
or call (850) 791-1070
Studio visits available by appointment.
Professional Member -
Society of American Mosaic Artists
