ARTS & EDUCATION
Putting
the Pieces
Together
w ritten by SHERIL BE NNE T T TURNER photo g raphed by KRIS DECKER
T
he Greeks started it. The Romans spread it throughout Europe. In Turkey during the Byzantine period it was perfected, and later, as part of the Art Nouveau movement, Antoni Gaudi of Spain almost
single-handedly revived an interest in it. It is mosaic — a picture or design made by placing bits of glass, stone, wood, ceramics, or found objects into a bed of cement or plaster. For more than five thousand years, mosaic art-
I’ve always been interested in art. Growing up in Greer, I was known as ‘the little girl who liked to color.’
ists have been piecing the materials of their lives together on walls, ceilings, and floors to create lasting visual stories. Much like a jigsaw puzzle, putting together a mosaic takes an eye for color, shape and detail, as well as a lot of patience, in order to reveal a whole picture. And in the case of local mosaic artist Laura Kennedy Aiken, putting just the right pieces together is her passion. “I’ve always been interested in art,” Laura admits. “Growing up in Greer, I
became involved with the Society of
was known as ‘the little girl who liked to color.’” But it was close family friend
American Mosaic Artists, the British
and renowned Greer watercolorist Suzanne Greene who really inspired Laura.
Association of Modern Mosaic, as
“I remember visiting her studio as a child,” she continues. “I was dazzled by
well as local art groups, where she
the whole artist atmosphere — the paints, the brushes, the colors. I watched
was encouraged by fellow artists who
her paint and studied her techniques, and in my twenties I really became seri-
willingly shared their knowledge.
ous about studying art and design.” But it wasn’t until much later that Laura
With her previous art training and natural talent for
Mosaics, and Glass Tile Inspirations for Kitchen and Bath,
would discover her current creative obsession.
design and color, Laura quickly mastered her craft and
as well as on HGTV’s That’s Clever! She also finds time
began creating stunning mosaic art pieces and custom
to teach mosaic and glasswork classes at the Julia Peters
backdrops and signs for homes and businesses.
Studio in Greenville’s West End, helping others discover
“About six years ago, I was living in Mississippi with my military husband, Chris, and our son, James. I came back to Greer for a visit and a friend
58 GreerNow OCTOBER 2007
of mine showed me her mosaic work. I was just fascinated by it. I knew right
Now settled for good back in her hometown of
away that this was something I wanted to do.” When Laura returned to Mis-
Greer, Laura continues to take her craft to higher levels
sissippi, she searched for ways to learn the art. “At that time,” she explains,
by designing and making one-of-a-kind fused glass
“there were no local classes available in mosaic so I began to teach myself.”
pieces for jewelry and accent tiles. She has been featured
With the help of books, the Internet, and good ol’ trial and error, Laura began
in books such as The Mosaic Artist’s Bible, Mosaic Basics:
to experiment. “My first mosaic pieces were birdhouses,” she laughs. She also
Everything you Need to Know to Start Making Beautiful
their natural talent because she believes that, “when people have a gift, they should use it.” d For more information on Laura K. Aiken’s art or classes, please call her at (864) 360-3811 or visit www.simplemosaics. com and www.artcabs.com. GreerNow OCTOBER 2007
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