| Ariel Finelt Shoemaker |
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| Ariel Finelt Shoemaker |
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Color is the grounding force in the mosaic art pieces I create. I root myself in the colors I choose before setting out to design a piece, or to develop organically formed patterns which become the mosaic work. This process engenders an extraordinary wealth of complexity in the patterning of my work, and assures that no two mosaic art pieces that I create will look, feel or seem the same ever. Without being deliberate about it, over time I have noticed how nearly impossible it is to duplicate a mosaic piece I have previously created.
Although my process has remained relatively the same, the outcome of my work has transformed into more interesting patterns, concepts, and use of materials. Recently, I have been working with the concept of what I call monochromatic moments. The evolution of this idea has driven the use of more organic shapes with materials like tumbled gemstones, circular ceramic pieces, and milifiori. These organic shapes have enabled me to forge softer lines in my work, and have moved the work into a more complex realm of surprising textural and color combinations.
Since I hand-cut each piece of tessarae relatively small, there is a two-fold inherent challenge in the creation of the work. Working the jigsaw puzzle that I set out to create with my own set of rules, whether on a massive or miniature scale, presents a blissful array of possibilities. The layers of patterns multiply with each cut I make, and with each piece set onto the surfaces of the mosaic. Each time I sit to work on a mosaic, my intention is to expand my reach and scope into the process of mosaic making so that I may mirror, mimic, reflect upon and honor the world in which I live.