March 2008 Featured Student Artist: Kaye Iverson

Kaye in her studio

"I live in Fort Collins, CO and I am a native of Colorado. For years I have quilted, painted home interiors and exteriors professionally, I refinished furniture, I have sewn, and I love gardening. I have never considered myself to be an artist, just crafty and creative and love color!"

Journey
"My mosaic journey started about a year and a half ago when a friend gave me a very special birthday present. She gave me an evening at her friend's warm glass studio where we made fused glass pendants together. I noticed the instructor also taught a mosaic class. So I signed up. I have always wanted to make garden art with mosaics. I was bitten by the mosaic bug. It was just a small mosaic mirror and the class was just a few hours long and I was one of two in the class. I wanted more so I did a search trying to find classes in Colorado and could not find anything. But then I found Institute of Mosaic Art on the web. I knew I was on a new adventure at that point because I didn't sign up for just one class, but THREE! This all led to seven trips to IMA within 9 months for the following classes:"

Intro to Glass Mosaics with Tammy Lee
The Business of Mosaics: Doing What You Love and Making a Living At It! with Laurel True
Journey to the Center: Mosaic from the Mind's Eye Visiting Artist: Lillian Sizemore
Roman Borders: Geometric Patterns from the Roman Baths Visiting Artist: Lillian Sizemore
3-Day Intensive Workshop Visiting Artist: Sonia King
Garden of 1,000 Flowers: Millefiori Workshop Visiting Artist: Laurel Skye
Introduction to Smalti with Laurel True

Abundance, 2008 Millefiorie, gold smalti, smalti, copper, mirror, Van Gogh glass, stained glass

"I do now consider myself an artist. It was really hard to say it at first, but that was just one of the many things I learned in the class Business of Mosaics with Laurel True. I think this class is the one that I can say has changed my life. I learned from Laurel that if you believe in yourself and focus on what you want, it will happen. You have to make the time and focus."

"Since I work full time at a university, I could only tackle one or two tasks each month until I got my business all set up, following her plan. This took about 9 months. It has been wonderful to explore the possibilities in mosaics just from taking that class. Anyone can do it. You don't have to have an art degree."

"The other important thing I learned is to be active in the development of your business. Then, when you get going, hire people to do those things you don't like to do (like taxes.) But you need to have a good understanding of everything from the beginning. Since then I have been taking small business development courses in Fort Collins."

"The other class that has equally helped me with my mosaic journey was Journey to Center: Mosaics from the Mind's Eye with visiting artist, Lillian Sizemore. In this class I learned a lot about bringing your "center" into your art. Lillian has been a great source of inspiration and continual help."

Mosaics
"I have found that I am very happy and balanced making mosaics. It is very therapeutic for me. My current day job is in finance and creating mosaics allows me to just be me with no rules. I just love it. I love all the people that I meet. Even on the Internet ordering supplies, I have met some very kind and helpful people. Mosaics keeps me very active because I am always thinking of new things I want to create. Sometimes that is overwhelming. And the color! Searching for the glass or flowerpots to mosaic and other objects is so much fun. Mosaics have become my life. I am very anxious to attend my first SAMA conference in April where I have signed up for 3 workshops."

Earth's Flow, 2007 Stained glass, smalti, ceramic tile, geode slice, fossils, and marble from 3-Day Workshop with Sonia King

Growth
"I recently made a rather large piece 16"x24" of aspen trees. The aspens came out great. I found just the right stained glass for the trees. They were very realistic. But after I grouted it, it was horrible. But I wasn't upset. I just made note of what I did wrong and put that in my catalogue of experiments and moved on. Every piece is not going to come out the way you want. That is part of the process. Each piece is a learning experience that you build on. With each new piece, I try to challenge myself in a new way. I am not sure if I have developed a style yet. Sometimes that bothers me, but I am comfortable on the road to finding my style."

Direction
"My goal is to make mosaics my next full time career. I have created my business Heart's Desire Mosaics www.heartsdesiremosaics.com. My artist's statement is "It's time to create as much as your heart desires." I hope to make one of a kind art that others would enjoy having in their homes, gardens, or businesses. I really want to bring a greater interest of mosaics to Fort Collins and Colorado. I want to continue to grow as an artist. I want to explore and learn from as many artists that I can. I want to make the most of every opportunity that presents itself. It would be fun to be known in Fort Collins as "that lady who does mosaics!" I have been asked to teach classes at a gallery in a neighboring town. I enjoy that a lot. So few sign up for the classes, but I am hoping more will come in the future. So something I really want is to have a classroom, studio, and gallery, all in one place. I heard something recently that really fits. "When you are on the right path, doors will open for you." IMA has played a very important role in my mosaic journey."

Wings of Desire Mandala, 2007 Stained glass, green and gold smalti, mother of pearl, chalcedony, ivory From Mosaic from the Mind's Eye

IMA
"I have learned so much from all the artists, something different, unique, and very valuable from all of them. I only wish I lived closer and could go more often to IMA. Most importantly, I have learned that it is never too late and anyone can create mosaics! That is what IMA teaches. Many times I have said to myself, "What are you thinking?" Then I remember IMA and all I have learned and I keep right on going and forget that thought immediately."

"In closing, I can't say enough about IMA. From my first visit, it has been a home away from home. It is great walking in the door and people know my name. Everyone is so friendly and helpful and supportive. Also I have met wonderful people in my classes. There is nothing like spending a weekend or week with others who have the same passion and interests."

A New Path, 2007 Smalti and gold smalti From Introduction to Smalti

Exhibitions
Journey to Center: Mosaics from the Mind's Eye
March 7 - April 15 2008
Institute of Mosaic Art, Oakland, CA

Solo Exhibition
April 1-30, 2008
Moon-Lily Art Studio and Gallery, Fort Collins, CO

Publications
Wings of Desire
Mandala from the Journey to Center
Mosaic Art 3: An International Portfolio of Contemporary Mosaic Art, 2007