Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Mazzoni.
Julie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My background is in Architecture, but I have always been interested in art. I made a decision in 2002 to home school my children and that is what led to my passion for mosaics. In 2009 they were involved in 4-H and I helped them make mosaic projects for the county fair. When the fair was over I was able to indulge my interest and work on my own projects. Personal projects led to commissions. I really love what I do, and love to share it with others. I have been fortunate to share through mosaic talks and teaching at a local community center. There are really so many different directions to go with this artistic medium. My path has taken me from stained glass realism to mixed media conceptual pieces and even three dimensional works. Each piece I add to my portfolio has given me opportunities to grow as an artist. There is always something new to learn in the process and I enjoy every minute of it.
Has it been a smooth road?
Being an artist is definitely a feast or famine experience. I have tried all different venues, from the Marietta Art Walk to arts and crafts shows, juried exhibits, online sales, etc. I don’t take it personally when a mosaic is not sold immediately. Mosaic art is often misunderstood. It is very time consuming to hand-cut each piece and that is reflected in the pricing, which is higher than most paintings. It’s also important as an artist to have an identifiable style. Having a unique medium is not enough, because within this medium there are many very talented artists. As I evolve as an artist, my style is also evolving. My goals have changed along the way from having my hobby pay for itself to contributing to the household income. The struggle is an age old one: how do I express myself and stay true to my medium while still paying the bills? The answer is to get creative. Teaching classes brings in steady income, selling through different venues helps, and being flexible with regards to accepting commissions that don’t always align with my artistic goals is a plus.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mazzoni Mosaics – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Mazzoni Mosaics was started in 2014. I make fine art mosaics, commissions large and small, mosaic pendants, and teach classes. Part of my strategy for building a fine art reputation and following is to enter juried shows. It is frequently competitive and is an honor just to be accepted. I am very proud of being accepted in Society of American Mosaic Artists Mosaic Arts International exhibit twice, and hopefully more in the future. I was also fortunate to be invited to the Orsoni gallery exhibit in Venice, Italy in 2014. This year I again have work on display in the Executive suite at the Georgia State Capitol building in the Art of Georgia exhibit. Another highlight for Mazzoni Mosaics was having three mosaics accepted in a mosaic exhibit at the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas, TX in 2016. I was unable to attend the exhibit, but was honored to find my work was hung next to the work of a mosaic Maestro that I have been inspired by, Guilio Menossi. Something that sets me apart from others in the mosaic world might be my background in Architecture and knowledge of construction materials, which has helped my use of different materials and technically challenging methods. I am self-taught in mosaics with the exception of a few classes, but it has always felt like a very natural medium of expression for me.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory would be playing in my backyard. I have five siblings, and we had the best yard in the neighborhood for ball games, so all the kids would play kickball and baseball in our yard. The pitcher’s mound was a blackened circle we used for bonfires at night, where we would roast hot dogs and foil packets of vegetables. If the ball went over the fence it was usually a home run since we had to jump the fence to get the ball. We had a large pine tree I would climb to catch cicadas, even though I always came down with sap on my hands. We once lined up cicada shells in formation, then caught live insects to be the Generals. I would carefully tie a string on them and then let them fly in circles around me. We also had an apple tree I would climb to pick apples. My mom was so great – she would make apple crisp whenever I brought her apples. My dad built a purple martin condo style birdhouse and mounted it on a 20′ pole. I used to shimmy up the pole like a monkey and look inside at the baby birds and eggs.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3926 Vinyard Trace NE
Marietta, GA 30062 - Website: http://mazzonimosaics.webs.com/
- Phone: 6785020487
- Email: mazztroop@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mazztroop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mazzoni-Mosaics-421844734509080/?ref=bookmarks
- Other: https://fineartamerica.com/artists/julie+mazzoni and http://markaygallery.com/artist-works.php?artistId=284574&artist=Julie+Mazzoni
Image Credit:
Personal Image – Mitchell Mazzoni, Mosaics- Julie Mazzoni
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