FINE ARTS WINNER

“The intention behind this piece is based in meditative practice. While creating this image, I focused on the title phrase (or mantra) and used vertical marks in the composition to indicate revolutions of the mantra through my mind. I believe that this mantra encourages manifestation, and I hope viewers see this piece as a talisman for attracting positivity into their lives.”

Canna lilies are such a captivating plant to me. As beautiful as their blooms are to look up to (since most tower above my head), their leaves are what draw me in. With so many large leaves bursting from the stem, each painted with intricate stripes, it is hard to tell where one starts and the next begins. The effect is visually hypnotic.

Kimono by Dana Shawver

I have a pretty extensive library (pictures and samples) of antique fabrics that I have collected over the years. I love mixing and matching the patterns to compose something more unexpected and transitional. The basis for this pattern was an old Kimono pattern I found a while ago. I loved the simplicity of it and toyed with either replicating it on a textured background but then opted to make it more geometric (sort of an elongated Moorish pattern). I love the idea of doing this in all Dolomite and making the pieces slightly pillowed, Dolomite with mother of pearl outlines, or bringing in the blue and white of the original textile. Art Glass would be another great medium.

Handwoven Basket by Jennifer Earnest

It was fun looking at objects in a more creative “mosaicist” way!

I recently remodeled my kitchen. I had my heart set on using the Rattan mosaic as a backsplash tile. I’ve always loved that pattern: the weave, texture, and simplicity, but it didn’t work with my countertops. Instead, I used a woven basket as pendant lights over the island. I shopped months for them, I really wanted something unique like the Rattan pattern.

I love how this weave creates a circle, how they are all tied together. They aren’t perfect, not the same size circles, the color in the natural fibers is shaded, but that’s what makes a hand woven basket so unique. The same theory applies to New Ravenna: unique, each design is handmade and it ties you to so many people and their homes.

Apex Allies by Elise M. Brenninkmeyer

My grandmother crocheted an alligator that sat on the foot of my bed to ward off bad dreams throughout childhood. Ever since, an alligator’s elegant form and majestic power has intrigued me. Movement is created in the design by the opposing directions in the pattern, our mind’s interpretation of an alligator seamlessly gliding through water, and also the push/pull of the shape presenting as either a reflection or a bird’s eye view.

The 24”x24” pattern can infinitely repeat horizontally or vertically. When the pattern expands beyond 24” tall, a double row is created on the vertical repeat to add interest as the area increases. The interplay between representation and abstraction in this design will appeal to a wide audience depending largely on the color palette chosen. Primary colors or blues and greens evoking the everglades suit a more youthful application. Neutrals or metallics would be appropriate for use in adult spaces, especially in light ofthe growing interest and soaring market for fossil collection. Combining laser cut alligator shapes with a mosaic background would diversify the design and allow for a gradation of background color if desired.

Protecting the surfaces where they swim, these alligators are your allies.

Vyasa Lotus by Shivani Vyas

The lotus flower rises from mud without stains, emerging as a beautiful botanical peacefully floating still on water. Lotuses represent purity and strength, but also spirituality and illumination.

It’s not a coincidence that I happened to pick the lotus flower. This bloom is the national flower of India, and I am a South Asian, Indian interior designer with a deep love of all pattern (I dream about wallpaper prints more nights than I can count). As proud as I am to be an Indian woman, I wasn’t always proud of my culture’s limitations. Being an interior designer? Absolutely not. I wasn’t respected or adored. But, broke and rejected—a worn-out pre-med professional who never ended up going to medical school (and had silly designer dreams). Still, I never gave up.

This pattern is not only a tribute to my heritage and culture but a reminder to all young women aspiring to be in a creative or unique field (that may not be socially accepted in their culture)–that they, too, can emerge from murky waters and live a beautiful, authentic, and peaceful life that’s true to them.

Ray by Rachel Fox

Recently I turned 30 years old and realized how much I value comfort and relaxation in my life. I wanted to create a pattern that embodies these values. I went with curved lines to imply a fluidity that other types of lines often cannot. I used certain diagonal moments in this pattern to create movement and direction. Curved lines are easy on the eyes, interesting to follow and have an organic feel. All these elements make me feel calm and at ease. The Ray pattern is functional in all types of design depending on the stones/colors used. It can be bold and modern as well as soft and organic. The consistent lines mimic delicate textiles but could lean towards an Art Deco feel as well. Any way you choose to design with this pattern using color and textures, I hope you feel as comfortable and relaxed as I do when I look at it.

Droms by Giovanni Barbieri

A single mosaic model and a single colored line allow you to create infinite movement.

By adding a field tile for floor use, and two other as décor accessories, the aesthetic solutions become infinite, shading the lines motion to empty on any percentage and direction.

I’ve always been fascinated with waterjet patterns and wanted to create a pattern that showcases the capabilities of the machine, such as the ability to cut perfect circles from stone, glass, or metal. I am drawn to concentric and interwoven geometric patterns that create the illusion of depth in a two-dimensional plane, similar to the Celtic or Gordian Knot. The templates are designed to blend together in such a way that the individual pieces are not immediately identifiable once a whole panel has been installed. As for colorway, I envision this in contrasting colors, where the circles and arcs stand out against the larger background pieces.

I found this image in a down out-of-the-way place, sure to be missed by the casual observer, a torn fragment left at the back of a bus stop, seen by me not as it was intended, but from the verso side. The back of things are of great interest to me, and I loved it immediately for all its wildness and impossibility. I really do see it as an extravagant tile, perhaps in a small domestic interior space belonging to someone excited by visual complexity and drama.

This is a hand drawing. I imagine the pattern (eventually) being available in multiple scales. It would lend well to waterjet but I can see it in all kaleidoscopic jewel glass mosaic as well. I kept it in increments of 6” high and 8” long to make sure it could be used for backsplashes, fireplaces, or just overall pattern.

My design concept derives from my love of architecture and color. The design of main one reminds me of the wrought iron designs in the gates of Charleston, but the color makes me think of Spanish tile.

Talavera by Veronica Maldonado

This design was inspired by talavera, a name given to a unique type of handcrafted pottery in Mexico. Making talavera is a long process that requires artisans to use special types of clay from different regions across Mexico and kilns at over 1800 F. Once it is out of the kiln and cold, each piece is carefully painted by hand with the use of vivid colors with typical flowery designs for decorating kitchens and gardens.

I chose to use soft and neutral colors such as gray and beiges with a touch of white and soft black. The design would be splendid for decorating hallways, entryways, or bathroom floors.

Hickory Leaf by Lee Nicholson

I envision this to be created with mainly hand chopped mosaic -mix of tumbled and honed to mimic the texture of weaving. Inspired by my love of textiles and hand chopped mosaic, I find the traditional weaving of overshot a perfect match. Chosen as the main weaving technique in the Appalachian south...I just so happen to be from Western NC. Simple geometric patterns create visual movement and beauty. Overshot weaving gained popularity in the 19th century and was used mainly for coverlets. Harnessing the often overlooked creativity of women weavers of the rural South.

Nature can play a vital role in soothing our soul and it is with this in mind that I created the Forest Floor design. My inspiration came from the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku, which translates to “forest bath,” the act of bathing your senses in the atmosphere of the forest. Every year we get more inundated with technology, divorcing ourselves from the very nature we are designed to be connected with. The Japanese have known for years that spending time amongst nature can be beneficial to both mind and body as the forest is a very spiritual environment that can restore our mood, clear our minds, and rejuvenate us.

Imagine being able to step onto a shower floor of leaves, with earthy colors of spring or the firework colors of fall blurring together. To close your eyes and be taken to a forest in your mind where you can almost feel the crisp leaves crunch underfoot, the smell of the earth, the feel of joy and calm that the forest brings as it washes away the worries of the day. Every little thing we do to get closer to nature is beneficial and my hope is that my design can bring a little bit of that indoors.

Bird of Paradise by Jacquelyn Bizzotto

This pattern was inspired by one of my favorite tropical flowers that can also grow right in your home, Bird of Paradise. With its bright colors and unique flowers this pattern would make a great backsplash in a warm weathered home or bring the tropics to you in a cold climate. It has a repeat and I can picture it in Basalto colors with Crema Marfil background or Honeysuckle. The flowers and leaves would be waterjet while the background would be 1.5 cm tumbled for a soft feel. Secondary color options are available as well

Inspired by the fabric trims you can find on upholstered items from your curtains to your couch, these tiny adornments add life and customization to any fabric! My idea was to add these embellishment borders to any tile pattern, from a standard 12x12 field tile floor to an intricate but playful Otomi wall panel. These little borders range in sizes and could be waterjet or mosaics, depending on the client’s preference. I chose to use glazed basalto in the mockups because the colors translate well to some of the same vibrant colors you would find on fabric trim. When it comes to matching your standard subway tile in the bathroom up to a bold wallpaper, the borders could compliment the wall coverings you select, just like the trim would if they were on your favorite pillow that had the same print.