See the World Through the Mosaicist’s Eyes of Yvette Hallam
Mosaic art is the love of making something beautiful out of something broken.
It’s oddly satisfying to cut, break or smash something in the name of being artist.
As a mosaicist you see the world through different eyes. In the sunrise I see a sheet of streaky, opalescent stained glass, a pile of autumn leaves are a layering of tesserae and the rocky coastline is a textured mosaic just waiting to happen.
I like to use a mixture of stained glass and natural elements in my work.
The Joyful Magic of Finding the Right Art Practice
I was never any good at art. In school, I was a dismissal failure. I can’t draw or paint.
So when my neighbour asked me to do a mosaic course with him, I was dubious. But with mosaic you don’t need to draw or paint. You can cut up some glass, put it back together and voila! you have a picture. I was thought it is amazing and I was hooked.
A Studio Built for Winter Warmth
My studio space has evolved over the years from a dark shed to a great open space filled with natural light, lots of tables and plenty of storage (although you always need more).
This year we installed a heatpump so I can keep playing into the evenings throughout winter.
From Shimmering Stain Glass to Smalti
I work mainly with stained glass. I love the colours, the shimmers and sparkles that comes from stained glass.
It can really bring your mosaic to life.
I also like to use Smalti, a very old, traditional material which is a type of molten glass cut into bricks.
I feel like an old stonemason chipping away with my hammer and hardie.
A Passion for Teaching
Teaching has always been a passion of mine. From Primary Schools to Karate classes, I love helping people develop their skills and feel that sense of accomplishment.
My favourite part of my classes is seeing the look on someone’s face when they nervously score a piece of glass for the first time and it breaks perfectly.
It’s amazing how art can bring people together.
Community Art Projects
I have been involved in a number of community art projects as well as teaching my own private classes or group bookings.
When people come together in a creative space, they relax, they talk, laugh, share stories and encourage each other.
Mosaics as a Mindful Practice
People have often described mosaic as a mindfulness activity.
It requires enough concentration to make all the day to day stuff filter out to the background, but it’s still relaxing enough to allow for free flowing conversation.
Allow Yourself to Become Part of the Art Process
My mantra is “The only time you fail is when you quit”.
I would say this to my karate students and now tell myself this whenever I start to self-doubt.
If you’re struggling with something, stop; take a breath, walk away then come back with fresh eyes. You have got this. Have faith. Try different ways to do things.
It might be as simple as standing up rather than sitting down at the workbench. Get your whole body into it, move around, become part of the process.
Yvette’s Advice
1. Learn from different people. Everyone has a different style or technique.
2. Try a few on and see how it fits, then adapt from these to find your style.
3. Have fun with it.
4. Learn to laugh at yourself, even at your mistakes (especially at your mistakes).
5. Every piece you create is a learning experience.
About the Artist
Yvette started mosaic in 2015 at the Creative Glass Guild in Brisbane.
Yvette moved to Tasmania in 2017 and started teaching mosaic in her Launceston studio in 2020.
In 2022, Yvette was elected Tasmania State Representative for the Mosaic Association of Australia & New Zealand.
Yvette has led a number community art projects including “Hanging By A Thread” a Mosaic for Afghan Women which has toured across much of the state.
Learn more about Yvette on her website, Timeless by Tynque Mosaic Studio where you can book classes and workshops as well as community project.
Artist Profile Stories
I want there to be more arts and crafts in our world, in our communities and in our own lives. Hopefully you’ve found this blog post inspiring and interesting.
So I’m creating, with your help, Art Trails Tasmania, allowing all of us who feel this love to create more of it.
And the Art Trails Tasmania blog is a key part of making this happen, telling the stories of members. It’s about what they have happening with workshops and classes, exhibitions, open studio trails, where to find their outlets, markets, fairs and festivals so you can shop their creations as well as their art and craft retreats.
Also being shared are the supporters of our artists, the galleries, shops, cafes, art societies and groups, places to stay and artist in residencies.
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