MOSAIC ARTIST - ANGELA ADAMS

Everyone comes to mosaic from different entry points and for Nevada, US, based Angela Adams, that gateway was home renovations!

When taking on a comprehensive remodel of a real fixer upper, Angela adopted a very hands on approach, finding great enjoyment and satisfaction in designing a bathroom, laying out tiles and using a wet saw. When the house projects were complete, Angela still wanted to use her hands, but this time she wanted to direct that creativity into fine-art based explorations.

As is the case with many journeys, serendipity played a part. When the time came for Angela to retire from her Federal Government job, a pivotal conversation with a career counsellor encouraged her to ‘transition to something’ rather than having nothing to dedicate time to. Angela decided to take a mosaic class and was introduced to its tactile nature, its rich history and the principles of andamento.

I took a mosaic class and learned about history, andamento and other principles that appealed to me.

It was cheaper than buying a new house to remodel!

What is your favourite aspect of the mosaic making process?

“Conceptualizing and planning – drawing is big for me and I appreciate the role of ‘line’ in art and andamento. It is vital as that first step that then directs the cycle of creating, resulting in a satisfying end product.”

What is the mosaic you are most proud of?

“Fantastic Octopus”, stained glass, 2024

Learning from multiple sources, Angela has quickly expanded in her practice and “Fantastic Octopus” won 1st Prize at a Las Vegas glass and bead show in the amateur category last year. She says “this piece also applies many concepts I learned from taking Caitlin’s courses: Opus tessellatum, sdoppiamento, colour theory, and application techniques all came together in this design of varied but connected circles.” Angela also cites Rachel Davies, Sandra Groeneveld, Casey VanLoon, and Carol Bevilacqua as other, valuable influences.

Angela shares this early mosaic which she describes as being ‘Catastrophically Grouted’!

Whole Foods logo reproduction, tumbled ceramic pieces, 2022

This image shows just how far Angela has come in a few, short years of mosaic practice, she graciously shares one of her earliest mosaics with us, a logo reproduction which she says was ‘catastrophically grouted‘.

‘I learned a lot from this piece, she states, specifically when NOT to grout!’

Angela has a fabulous sense of humour which is enjoyed by many during the online AoA sessions that she frequently participates in.

Angela’s love of gathering and cutting stones is an influence from her Mother that has only expanded now that she lives in vicinity to the megalithic rock and gem shows that take place annually in Tucson, Arizona.

Below you can see the process of a recent study for Angela’s Level 4 class, where she has foraged, cut, sealed and mosaiced with stones found in her local area. Angela’s connection with the act of gathering rocks ignites new ideas for her to explore.

Looking forward, Angela says that she would love to gain more experience in melting glass and pulling her own multi-coloured filati to integrate into her work.

We look forward to seeing the continued evolution of Angela’s practice in the Andamento Academy and encourage you to also revisit your early work to see just how far you have come since your time as fledging mosaicists.