<![CDATA[GILA RAYBERG ~ MOSAIC ARTIST

<![CDATA[GILA RAYBERG ~ MOSAIC ARTIST - Blog]]>Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:42:04 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[Spring Exhibitions and Workshops]]>Fri, 28 Feb 2025 16:05:14 GMThttps://www.gilamosaics.com/blog/spring-exhibitions-and-workshopsSpring is in the air and I'm enjoying the birds singing to me as I work! There's a lot of momentum & excitement in my studio. So, I'll get right down to the news, important details & dates. I'd love to see you at any or all of these upcoming events! Even if you're too far, which too many or you are, you're in my heart and invited.

Pensacola Museum of Art.
I'm honored to have been invited to display 6 of my mosaic portraits for six months at the PMA. The opening reception will be March 7th from 5-7, alongside the member's show , in which I also have an artwork on exhibit. My portraits will remain on display thru September 7, 2025.

Celebration of Women "Building Peace", @Luna Fine Art Gallery, Pensacola Beach Hilton. I have two works in this show. Opening reception Saturday March 15, 11-3pm. Show runs thru June 6.

April 11~ FUN pendant workshop
6-9PM. Sign-up

Followed by Mosaic Mania, a Solo Pop-Up show May 14-June 3 both at Gallerie du Sacre Ceour
1010 N 12th Avenue, Pensacola

& last but not least Workshops continue in my Perdido Key studio.
Time is running out to get in on my 5-day intensive Portraiture/Choose your own project Workshops. As of today, there are 2 spots open in the April 25-29 workshop and only one spot remains in the October 10-14 workshop. Contact me for more information & to register.

Until next time, with love... always!
Gila

]]><![CDATA[Thanksgiving Wish]]>Thu, 28 Nov 2024 14:03:35 GMThttps://www.gilamosaics.com/blog/thanksgiving-wish
Greetings & Happy Thanksgiving from Gila Mosaics Studio

My wish for this Thanksgiving is for a return to civility amongst all humans, especially between our fellow American citizens. There really is no better place to live than the good ole USA, (speaking from my own experience, having lived, worked & traveled in many countries). There IS so MUCH for which to give THANKS... Starting with YOU for supporting me in my Art-Full endeavors thru the years.

I'm extremely thankful to have my art exhibiting in the following 3 locations:

Many Moods of Amelia, at Luna Fine Art Gallery, Amelia Island, FL thru January 3, 2025

~ online viewing here ~ https://lunafineartgallery.org/amelia-island

Mosaic Arts International 2024 at Belger Crane Yard Gallery in Kansas City, MO thru January 4, 2025

~ more info ~ https://belgerarts.org/mai2024-and-100-moments-project

Cinco Banderas at Artel Gallery in Pensacola, FL thru December 6, 2024

& finally . . . I've updated my website with available artworks & my all New 2025 Original Mosaic Wall Calendar - ON SALE NOW

Until next time, Peace, LOVE and gratitude,
Gila

]]><![CDATA[Gila Mosaics ~ On the Move]]>Fri, 23 Aug 2024 15:54:24 GMThttps://www.gilamosaics.com/blog/gila-mosaics-on-the-moveGreetings from Gila Mosaics Studio!

Yes, it's been a while since I sent out a newsletter. I've been keeping busy in my studio creating art, while actively blocking out the stressful noise & craziness of the outside world. I've finally sorted out the air conditioning and lighting situation in my studio, so it's a comfortable place to take refuge from the summer heat.

I'm exciting to let you know that my recent portrait, "Beautiful Soul" has been juried in to the Mosaic Arts International Exhibition at the Janice Charach Gallery in West Bloomfield Michigan. It opens this Sunday, August 25 (1-4pm) and runs thru Sept. 22. The exhibit will then move to Kansas City, MO from Oct. 4 - Jan 4. In addition, my portrait "Roses Return", selected for the MAI 2021 virtual(due to covid) exhibit will also be included as an invitational part of the exhibit.
More info here https://tinyurl.com/2024MAI

ON SALE NOW. I currently have 3 online courses available thru Mosaic Arts Online. They're all recorded in easily re-viewable sections. My courses focus on creating mosaic portraits, human & animal, using dishes as a primary component. There are into videos to each course on the site. At the beginning of each course there is a PDF listing all the materials & supplies you need for success. Use coupon code: SUMMER2024 for the discount at checkout. There are many other courses with other instructors & techniques ... Even some free tutorial, so click over and have a look! Sale ends midnight Aug 25, so don't delay. https://mosaicartsonline.com/courses/author/234176

Coincidentally, Roses Return (Topleft) was an instrumental piece in the development of my 3rd online mosaic course. I created her after returning from a course in Spillembergo Italy, from the same original drawing I used in my course there. At home, I began to experiment with combining my own picassiette style (using dishes) with what I learned in Italy. Thus, My Contemporary Portraiture in Smalti & Picassiette workshop was born. Perhaps for those looking for something a bit more challenging!

Recently I finished a small series of 12 "Meditations". Many are created with materials that I hand-made from tinted mortar, which then cures over time then is chopped into mosaic pieces, as well as fused glass elements that I also made. Though these small works may seem simple, a lot of time and effort goes into each one of these little beauties. I loved working on them & now looking at them, they continue to do their meditative job!
Currently available directly from my website.
https://www.gilamosaics.com/meditations.html

As always, much love & happy creating!
Enjoy the rest of your summer,
Gila

]]><![CDATA[A New Adventure Begins!]]>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:05:34 GMThttps://www.gilamosaics.com/blog/a-new-adventure-beginsToday I fly to Argentina & way down to Patagonia!!!

It's an amazing honor to have been invited to participate in the 1st International Mosaic Symposium in Patagonia. Of course, I accepted the challenge!

I'll be the lone American amongst 13 international artists from 11 countries, to convene in Trevelin, Patagonia, Argentina for the sole purpose of creating an original work of art. It's sure to be an intense period of creative exploration & camaraderie.

Once our works are completed, there will be an exhibition, and the artworks will become part of a permanent collection for the premier Contemporary Mosaic Art Museum in Latin America.

How cool is that?!?!?!!!!!

You can follow along via Instagram posts
@gilarayberg_mosaics & @simposiomosaicpatagonia2022

Back here on the ground....😀

I recently completed a long-term project, started just after the first Covid lockdown. It was time to finish it up once the pandemic was officially declared over 🙃. Previously referred to as the Endless Abstract in an earlier blog post..... Now titled ...

"No End In Sight"
49" x 48"

a few close ups

& last but not least.....

Currently at Artel Gallery in downtown Pensacola FL.
"Check Please" was selected for the Cinco Banderas Exhibit & received an Honorable Mention from the juror. The exhibit runs thru Nov 18.

Both pieces above are available for purchase & many more on my website.

Until next time....
Remain calm & creative!
Gila

]]><![CDATA[It's a thrill to be invited!]]>Thu, 26 May 2022 16:52:40 GMThttps://www.gilamosaics.com/blog/its-a-thrill-to-be-invitedGreetings From Gila Mosaics Studio!

I don't know how it was for you, but my spring has flown by in a flash. My Texas road trip was a huge success. I taught 3 workshops, met so many fun, talented people & dogs, ate a ton of delicious BBQ and plenty Tex-Mex food. Though I'm a bit worn out, I'm also inspired!

My most exciting news to share with you today is being invited to Chicago's Gallery of Contemporary Mosaics in an exhibit entitled American Mosaics Now. t's quite an honor to be invited & I couldn't be more thrilled! Below is the invitation for the opening reception on June 10th, with a detail of my work, "Brain Drain"..... 2nd from the left

I'd love for you to check it out if you find yourself in Chicago over the summer.

Next week I head out to the West Coast to film an exciting new online course at Mosaic Arts Online headquarters. (more details on that later!) and to teach more workshops. There are still a few spots open in the Bird workshop in Tijuana, June 16-18. This will be my 3rd year teaching at Casa Valencia, a great studio in an amazing location. We always have a wonderful time there, very relaxed atmosphere & of course wonderful local cuisine. There are 2 hotels walking distance from the studio making it very convenient.

This "Funky Toucan" that I recently completed is an example of what we'll be creating in the workshop, and is available for purchase.

Until next time, stay cool & creative!

]]><![CDATA[Excitement in the Air!]]>Tue, 15 Mar 2022 12:58:40 GMThttps://www.gilamosaics.com/blog/excitement-in-the-airMarch is here and Spring is in the air. Despite the fact that today we're having a final blast of cold, there's spring in my step & lots going on in my studio. I'm excited to fill you in on some of the highlights!

Friday night I attended the opening of the Pensacola Museum of Art Juried Member's Show. Like many people there, it was the first time in over 2 years, being out and about mingling face to face, which felt really nice & little extra special.

I really loved seeing my work, "Forward Thinking" hanging in the large gallery where he looked quite striking from across the room! He was created last year as I thought a lot of the uncertainties of the pandemic situation & what the future might bring. I find him quite compelling, with many little details that are hard to see in a photo. Modeled after a Scottish artist, he's #64 of 68 in my ongoing series of contemporary artists from around the world. The exhibit runs thru May 29, 2022. I hope you'll have a chance to visit.

Quite a bit different than my usual style, "Beyond City Limits", is currently in a Mosaic Landscapes online exhibit. The show runs thru March and can be viewed here: https://tinyurl.com/LandscapeMo.
There will be a viewer's choice award, which you can vote for while you're there. If you like my work, I'd love your vote 😍😉.
Here's a little detail....

Both works above are available for purchase.

On the teaching front, I'm looking forward to conducting a workshop in my own studio, the first in 5 years, in a couple of weeks. Thanks to those of you who let me know of your interest in more of my home based workshops, following my last newsletter... more dates to come!

Here's a quick list of my current workshops coming up On the Road ...
They're filling fast so don't wait if you're interested!

Dallas TX - April 21-24 - sold out
Dallas TX - April 27-30 - a few spots remain
Austin TX - May 3-6 - 2 spots remain
Fullerton CA - June 2-4
Tijuana Mexico - June 16-18

All workshop dates, locations & links to register can be found here

I hope all is well in your world. Until next time...
Be well & stay creative!
Lots of love,
Gila

]]><![CDATA[Choose Wisely]]>Thu, 17 Feb 2022 13:10:24 GMThttps://www.gilamosaics.com/blog/choose-wisely

A little preparation can go a long way!

In 2018 I was invited by Italian master mosaicist & maestro, Giulio Mennosi, to attend the 3rd Contemporary Mosaic Art Symposium in Ploaghe, Sardinia, Italy.

From the open theme we were given, Texture, Warps, Paths, Fragments of colors from the earth, I decided to focus on the idea of paths we take in our lives. First, I created a series of paintings, from photos of myself, one of which you see here, and 3 of which have now become mosaics.

It was essential that the work be multi dimensional, not flat. In preparation, I began experimenting with multi-layered substrates to test out how the structure would be built, before leaving for Italy. I wanted to be sure that everything would work out in the limited time frame we would have on site in Ploaghe.

Once I had this figured out, I felt confident that I could execute my plan on site in Sardinia. I'm very happy for that preparation, as it helped everything to move along smoothly one I arrived on site. Here's my completed Symposium work.

"Find Your Own Path and Leave a Trail"
70 x 100 cm - Smalti, dinnerware, ceramic, stone, cork, cork tree bark & sea polished tile

A few months after my return from Sardinia, I was eager to get back to the experimental layered substrate, and finish the work which had played such a significant role in my success at the symposium.

"Choose Wisely"
19" x 12" x 3" - Dishes, stone, ceramic, stained glass, fused glass, gold
& mother of pearl shells, on a hand build cementitious substrate.

About a year later, I created yet another from the same series of drawings. There are more drawings in the series, so there may be more on the way.... Which way?

"Which One Way"
20" x 16" - dinnerware, hand made ceramic, vitreous and stained glass

"Choose Wisely" & "Which One Way" are available.
A list of other available works is here.
Please take a look here If you would like to discuss a commission.

As always, thanks for stopping by.
Let me know you were here by leaving a comment!

]]><![CDATA[February Newsletter]]>Fri, 04 Feb 2022 16:09:46 GMThttps://www.gilamosaics.com/blog/february-newsletterI hope your 2022 has gotten off to a great start!

As the new year began, I decided that for the 1st time in 5 years, I'd schedule a workshop in my home studio in Perdido Key! To my delight & surprise, it sold out in 3 days! I definitely plan to schedule more of those, so If you would like to be on my advance notification list, please let me know. My PK studio workshops will always be limited to 5-6 participants.

Beginning in April I have more workshops scheduled - On the Road Again!

Rockwall (Dallas) @ Hidden Mosaics
April 21 - 24, 2022 (sold out)
April 27 - 30, 2022

Austin Texas
May 3 - 6, 2022

More info on in person & online workshops, here.

It was an honor for me to be asked to create an artwork for this project, which will be exhibited at the Skirball Museum in Cincinnati Ohio from Feb. 24 - May 8, 2022.

'From Darkness To Light: Mosaics Inspired By Tragedy', is a collection of 36 mosaic works created in response to and in commemoration of the lives lost in the horrific mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh PA in 2018.

My mosaic centers on the word LIFE, CHAI in Hebrew. My simplified version of the tree of life, includes eleven branches, each topped with a golden leaf, to symbolize each of the eleven lives lost on that tragic day. On a more personal note, my father's name, Chaim, is derived from the same root. As a first generation American, daughter of a holocaust survivor, I grew up with a keen awareness of antisemitism, and have always tried my best to eradicate hatred and bigotry from my own life.

Until next time, L'Chaim - To Life!

Much love, Gila

]]><![CDATA[Happy February!]]>Tue, 01 Feb 2022 13:50:25 GMThttps://www.gilamosaics.com/blog/happy-february
I often turn to my extensive Asian travels for inspiration. This work, "Love Buddha", was derived from photos I shot with my old Nikon FG while traveling in Laos and Cambodia in the late 1990's.

Love Buddha - 21.5" x 13" x 3" - Handmade pottery, ceramic, dinnerware, a variety of glass, copper beads, smalti, and mirror on a hand built, cement based substrate.

A few of my original source photos & inspiration

One of the things I love most about this piece is it's dimensionality & incorporation of mirror, which casts wonderful light and color around its environs throughout the day and changing seasons. You can see that a bit in this photo from a gallery show.

And finally, I leave you today with this small but important detail...

The butterfly and a couple of moths, a simple reminder that spring is just around the corner.

& LOVE, always LOVE!

Love Buddha is a favorite from my personal collection.

Please take a look here If you would like to discuss a commission.
A list of available works is here.

]]><![CDATA[Master of Horse - Installed at The Ruins!]]>Sat, 03 Oct 2020 13:10:23 GMThttps://www.gilamosaics.com/blog/master-of-horse-installed-at-the-ruinsRachel wasted no time in getting my portrait of John Moskal, Master of Horse on the wall of The Ruins. It's the first mosaic to be installed in this room, now dubbed The Stable. Follow the project to see how this important aspect of the mining story develops with additional workhorses, mules and such.

Unpacking the pieces, 7 in total. The torso & portrait were the first to go up.
& here we see the the final piece being put in place!

Tada - Master of Horse complete!

Read about & see more on the backstory of this mosaic's origin & creation here.

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