Today we’re excited to introduce you to Julie Mazzoni. Julie is a Mosaic Artist, Instructor and is also a content partner. Content partners help Voyage in so many ways from spreading the word about the work that we do, sponsoring our mission and collaborating with us on content like this. Check out our conversation with Julie below.
Julie, it’s been too long since we last connected. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts with our community again. Some readers might have missed our prior conversations, so maybe you can kick things off for us with a quick intro?
My background is in architecture, so I have always been interested in design, materials and creating. In 2009 I made my first mosaic and it was a freeing experience. I loved everything about it and have very organically experimented with different materials and techniques over the years. In 2013 I began teaching others through workshops and talks. I enjoy sharing my passion for the immense diversity of projects within the world of mosaics.
What are you working on right now?
I have a couple of pans on the fire right now. One has been shaping up slowly over the course of a few years, which is the Gardens of Georgia series of floral and landscape mosaics. More recently, I have been working on a Covid inspired series called Shelter in Place. The pieces are more abstract and all are intended to be exhibited together in a solo show this July. Mosaics are a slow process, from planning and prepping to hand cutting and placing each piece. My most difficult task is to temper my mosaic vision with the reality of time!
What is a typical day like for you?
My studio is in my garage and that has made me very seasonally driven in my daily routine. I typically do planning, paperwork, prepping, and personal time in the mornings and move to my studio in the afternoon. I often return to the studio after dinner for several hours. In the heat of summer, my schedule will flip so my mornings are in the studio and I return there after dinner. I’m in the very slow process of moving my studio into a back room of our house which will change everything!
What are your personal mosaic goals?
My personal mosaic goal are to develop a body of work that is recognizable. My passion has been to do a little bit of everything mosaic related. By creating significate related mosaics, such as the Shelter in Place series, I am making my mark in the world of contemporary mosaic art. I am very easily distracted, but the solo exhibit is helping me focus on that goal. I will likely continue the series after the exhibit simply because of the slow nature of mosaics.
What is a mosaic dream you would like to see come true?
My mosaic dream is to travel and study with mosaic Maestros. I am self-taught, but have had a few courses here and there. My husband and I were scheduled to become empty nesters in 2020. Covid has of course changed our plans dramatically. I am confident it will happen eventually, but in the meantime the virtual mosaic community has grown stronger and will keep me sane while I wait this thing out!
What is your biggest challenge as an artist?
My biggest challenge has been to focus on creating the body of work that is recognizable. The biggest hurdle is staying focused on the big picture and not getting pulled into various mosaic alleys. However, I have come to realize that every little alley explored has added to my skill base and made me the artist I am today. Those little alleys are like itches that must be scratched so I can renew my perspective and move forward. The path is a meandering one that I embrace fully.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy reading, hiking, painting and gardening. Gardening has been the biggest influence on my work as an artist. It has become as ingrained in my life just as much as mosaics. As an artist, I am also drawn naturally to art exhibits of all kinds.
It was so great to reconnect. One last question – how can our readers connect with you, learn more or support you?
During Covid, as a way to connect to clients and the mosaic community, I began making weekly studio update videos. Called Putting It Together with Julie Mazzoni, they show best how projects start, pop-up, evolve and somehow get finished. I even add a tiny bit of my garden to the mix as it is such a huge influence. I also reopened my Etsy shop recently with small works.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAlDZhcBXnwvNGSOUaYiA8A
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.b.mazzoni/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mazzonimosaics/
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MazzoniMosaics
Fine Art America (prints & personal items): https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/julie-mazzoni/shop
Atlanta area mosaic classes: https://registration.spruillarts.org/wconnect/ShowSchedule.awp?&Search=INSTRUCTOR&Target=MzM0NjQxNDc2ODUx&Title=Courses+Taught+by+Julie+Mazzoni
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mazzonimosaics.webs.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mazzoni-Mosaics-421844734509080
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-mazzoni-83b45288/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAlDZhcBXnwvNGSOUaYiA8A
- Other: Local Classes: https://registration.spruillarts.org/wconnect/ace/ShowSchedule.awp?&Mode=GROUP&Group=ADTMOS&Title=Mosaics&SubGroup=ADT
Image Credits
Julie Mazzoni
