Your mosaic wall art starts with the laying down (or drawing in) of a composition composed of various elements which epitomize the idea of “chinoiserie.” If a vision for your final piece doesn’t come to you easily, here are some places to find inspiration, source images, and examples of successful compositions from which to base your next mosaic wall piece.
Out In Nature (Or At The Florist)
In nature you will find many elements that compose the “chinoiserie-style.” Visit your local park, botanical gardens, flower shop (or nearest well-tended backyard!) to find examples of leaf shapes, the lines of vines, and the endless variety of flowers that can inspire. Bring a sketch book or take pictures with your phone to take inspirational images back to your mosaic art studio for re-application in your larger mosaic wall piece.
Botanical and Bird Books and Prints
Browse or shop at your local bookstore, library, or museum (or museum store) for books of images or actual illustrations by talented artists who focus on flowers, birds and botanicals. By carefully studying the lines, shapes and colors of various flora and fauna, you can develop an instinctive feel for how they may be re-worked into your mosaic using glass or tiles. Review the classic works and compositions of Pierre Joseph Redouté, John James Audubon, Maria Sibylla Merian, and more recently: Pandora Sellars.
Be sure to check out the selection of reference books for mosaic art at The Mosaic Artist Shop online.
Luxury Wallpaper and Fabric Manufacturers
Mosaic inspiration can be found in hand-made wallpapers and designer fabrics, particularly papers coming from the ateliers of several of the world’s most exquisite wallpaper manufacturers: DeGournay and Gracie. Viewed in-person or online, it’s easy to gain inspiration from these hand-painted masterworks, typically done on silk or rice paper. In these collections intended for large walls or panels, there are exquisite examples of compositions and individual elements (often flowers and birds) from which to gain an excitement for creating your own composition—in iridescent, opalescent, and brilliant luxury glass.
“Inspiring” Image Books for Mosaic Art
Books such as online mosaic teacher Rebecca Kaye’s “Fifty Base Designs for Mosaic Art” can provide an easily accessible resource for inspiring images and compositions which are not copyrighted and in the general domain. These images are “royalty-free” and easily copy-able to larger mosaic pieces (via freehand drawing or “eyeballing”). Inspiring images with simple shapes and lines work best for translation into a larger mosaic art piece. Certain reference image books, widely available online, can provide a handy tool to the mosaic artist when drawing in the basic design.
The World of Décor
Inspiration for your larger mosaic wall art in the “chinoiserie” style can be found in even more places if your mind and eye is open to it. “Oriental” rugs, vintage fabrics, antique picture screens, even Chinese flower pots can offer shapes, compositions and palettes which inspire.
Is Getting Inspiration Also Copying?
Please never fear too much that images and materials you find inspiring via illustrations/paintings/wallpapers/books etc. may be perceived as blatantly “copied” into your mosaic work. By the very nature of mosaic (cut glass/tiles arranged and grouted on a base), you are working in a vastly different, more three-dimensional medium. The best manner to avoid any suspicion of copying is to work in inspiration from multiple sources into your pieces, and of course to create something totally, uniquely your very own.
The hope is that whatever inspires you externally will be reinterpreted in a new and totally different way, internalized and integrated into your own unique works of art. To learn how to do mosaic art, please visit: http://www.LearnMosaicArt.com