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August 2009 Featured Student Artist: Glynnis Kaye
Detail of "Sunny Pines" mosaic
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Journey
Sales manager. Retail buyer. Therapist. Editor. Writer. Media relations manager. I've worn each of these hats—and a few more—during my adult life. Some of them fit me better than others, but none of them made me exactly want to jump out of bed and rush to work in the morning. Each was perhaps ill fitting from the start, or became too tight over time.
Poppies done in Intermediate Glass class
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From time to time, I've tried slipping on the hat of artist— doing everything from quilting to jewelry making to ceramics to silk-screen printmaking. But I've always been afraid to actually declare, "I'm an artist." Each time I've ventured down the artistic career path, I've allowed threads of self-doubt to creep into my psyche and hold me back: What if I'm not good enough? What if no one likes what I create? How can I be an artist if I don't hold a Ph.D. from a renowned art school? What if all the "real" artists discover the imposter that I am?
Coming to IMA has helped me to banish many of those doubts and questions. In the mid-1990s, I painted the walls inside my house in shades of hot pink, purple, teal, and yellow, so as you might imagine, the first time I drove up to IMA about four years ago, I felt right at home. But it's the people at IMA, of course— not the paint on the walls— that give the place its true energy.
Tempered glass mosaic done using techniques learned in Ellen Blakeley's class |
Classes taken at IMA
I first began to envision my future as a mosaic artist in Tammy Lee's Intro to Glass class. With her wonderful encouragement and clear instruction, I learned the basics of glass cutting, substrates, adhesives, and grout, and actually created a piece that I was proud of. Next, through Tracey Broback's patient teaching in the Intermediate Glass class, I was introduced to andamento and began to understand and apply terms like opus regulatum and vermiculatum. Through Madeline Behrens-Brigham's gentle teaching in Mixed Media Creations, I learned more about following my heart and trusting my inner art voice. I made my first stepping-stone in Rachel Rodi's Exterior & Garden Applications class,
and in her Drawing for Mosaics class, also learned that through practice and observation, I actually can draw. Dana Zed exposed me to the possibilities of dichroic glass and kiln firing in her Glass Fusing for Mosaics class, and Ellen Blakeley opened a whole new window of exploration for me in Tempered Glass Mosaics.
Fantasy mirror done in IMA lab following Beginning Glass class
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I advanced my skills and began to put much more planning and thinking into my work following Emma Biggs's Color and Design Intensive for Mosaic workshop, and learned to work in large scale in Josef Norris's Facilitating Community Mosaics Projects and Laurel True's Architectural Applications classes. Beyond classes, Laurel has inspired me to take chances and create the life I want.
Introduction to Glass Mosaics
Intermediate Glass Mosaics
New Mosaics: Mixed Media Creations with Madeline Behrens Brigham
Exterior & Garden Applications
Glass Fusing for Mosaics with Dana Zed
Tempered Glass Mosaics with Ellen Blakeley
Color & Design Intensive for Mosaics with Emma Biggs
Facilitating Community Mosaic Projects with Josef Norris
Architectural Applications
Beginning Drawing for Mosaics with Rachel Rodi
Business of Mosaics
IMA
My Mother's Garden mirror done in IMA lab
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In addition to classes, I have spent a great deal of time in IMA's labs. I have been inspired by the creativity of IMA's employees, fellow students, and lab mates, and have made wonderful, lasting friendships. I can't begin to describe the positive influence the people I have met through IMA have had in my life.
Growth
Now, when people ask what I do, more often than not, I answer, "I am a mosaic artist." It feels right. I do want to jump out of bed and rush to the studio in the morning. The hat fits, but it's a comfortable, loose fit— allowing lots of room for growth.
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