Gila Mosaics
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Choose Wisely

2/17/2022

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​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.


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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.
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​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.
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"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.   
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"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?
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"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!
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February Newsletter

2/4/2022

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I 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! 
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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!
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Much love, Gila

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Happy February!

2/1/2022

2 Comments

 

​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.
PictureLove 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
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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.
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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!
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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.
2 Comments

    Artist

    Gila Rayberg
    With precision and spontaneity, I strive to create texture and movement; something you want to reach out and touch!
    ​

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email:  gila@gilamosaics.com
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  • Home
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    • EXHIBITIONS
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