Dimension and Asymmetry - Mixed Media Faces with Joan Schwartz
Your Face, Your Rules, Your Mix
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Joan Schwartz has never been one to “stay inside the lines.” For her, art is about color that pops, textures that surprise, and dimensions that make every piece come alive. She can’t help but make creating fun—and now she’s ready to help you do the same.
After years of teaching her signature Dimensional & Asymmetrical Mixed Media Faces in live workshops, Joan has brought her playful, rule-breaking approach straight to Mosaic Arts Online.
Instead of trying to figure out how she creates these bold and whimsical faces, Joan is giving you all her tips, tricks, and hard-earned techniques—honed over countless hours in her studio—so you can learn step by step right alongside her.
In this course, you’ll learn how to:
- Choose and assemble bold, unexpected materials that give your face life and personality
- Play with balance and asymmetry so your design feels intentional—even when it’s wonderfully offbeat
- Layer with depth and dimension using Joan’s signature techniques
- Add those final quirky touches that make your face uniquely yours
- Loosen up, break rules, and trust your instincts so the process stays playful and free
These faces aren’t about perfection or symmetry—they’re about storytelling, intuition, and the thrill of watching a character reveal itself as you create.
Whether you’re brand new to mixed media and mosaic art or an artist who has been creating for some time, this course will show you how to turn your personal collection of found objects, personal momentos and fun materials into a Mixed Media Face that stops people in their tracks.
Your Instructor
Joan Schwartz: Mosaic Artist and Advocate
Raised in an innovative household, Joan nurtured her passion for creation from
a young age. Initially embarking on a career as a pediatric nurse, she always prioritized art alongside her professional and familial responsibilities while raising three children. For over the past 20 years, she has focused on mixed media mosaics, seeking out training from top mosaic artists from across the globe.
Joan’s skillfully crafted works reflect her deep appreciation for life, children and well-being. Through her artistry, she supports organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, and others, each of which are committed to aiding children with life-threatening illnesses.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Joan plays a vital role in promoting mosaics in the Detroit area and beyond. She coordinates mosaic exhibitions and invites esteemed instructors from the U.S. and abroad to share their expertise.
Joan currently is a member of SAMA (Society of American Mosaic Artists), MAANZ (Mosaic Artists of Australia and New Zealand), the Detroit Artist Market and the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center.
Most recently Joan was instrumental in hosting the 2017 and 2024 SAMA conferences, which attracted nearly 400 mosaic artists to the “the D”. (Detroit)
Joan is a two time past ArtPrize participant, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and her work has been juried into the highly competitive Mosaic Arts International numerous times. Her art is also on display in Australia.
Course Curriculum
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StartIntro and personal interview with Joan and Tami (9:08)
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StartDowloadable PDF: Suggested Toosl, Materials, and Resources
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StartCourse overview (0:33)
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StartPatterns and inspiration (2:12)
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StartGetting ideas for creating dimensional and asymmetrical faces (1:56)
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StartHow Joan chooses parts of faces and puts them together on paper (4:44)
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StartTools and adhesives (5:09)
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StartTracing and cutting out face shapes using foam board (3:39)
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StartSubstrate and hanging hardware (1:08)
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StartChoosing and cutting stained glass background (4:49)
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StartHow to adhere the glass background to the substrate (1:44)
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StartMaterials for Joan's Dimensional and Asymmetrical Mixed Media Faces (2:26)
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StartBuilding your base elements with foam board (4:16)
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StartLabel, arrange, and securely glue the foam and stained glass pieces (5:33)
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StartAdhering additional glass elements to the foam layers (4:00)
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StartBuilding a mustache using Joan’s beading technique (10:43)
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StartEmbellishing the shirt with beads and tiles for texture and visual pop (24:52)
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StartAdhering the face glass onto the foam layer (2:03)
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StartHow to use your creativity to fix a mistake (10:02)
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StartBringing the shirt layers together (7:15)
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StartAuditioning and adding embellishments to the shirt (6:24)
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StartMaking choices for the facial elements (11:08)
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StartRefining the face with added features and details (10:21)
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StartAttaching the playful mustache and additional elements using various adhesives (17:05)
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StartJoan's tips and tricks for creating her whimsical hair (10:23)
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StartFinalizing the hair and securing the remaining details and shirt (5:35)
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StartWrap Up and Thank You! (0:29)