BUNDLE: Shapes and Forms of Thin Set and Mesh & Organic Abstract with David Jarvinen

Learn more and save more with how to instruction for creating mosaic art

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Welcome to the BUNDLE option for David Jarvinen's "Shapes and Forms of Thin Set and Mesh" & "Organic Abstract"

All bundles when purchased at MAO are automatically 15% off. We are offering a payment plan with this BUNDLE. Click each of the courses below and watch David's Promotional videos with a look inside the courses.

Description for Organic Abstract:

Dive in and let your senses take over in this Mosaic Arts Online course as David Jarvinen shares his techniques and experience for creating organic abstract mosaics. Using this technique, he teaches how to create a mosaic that looks like a cropped section of a larger mosaic piece. This online course is designed to use the senses to create and understand the relationships between the materials.


In this course you will learn:

  • How to create balance in a composition
  • How to choose your materials
  • How to edit out certain or "too many" materials
  • How to create the tinted adhesive
  • How to plan your piece while still allowing for organic creative flow
  • How to fill in the negative space
  • How to successfully cut certain materials
  • How to add wire, beads, Mexican smalti and other materials
  • How to clean and seal the mosaic

Students will learn about composition, balance, and other important art elements through David's placement and use of the tesserae. David uses a wide variety of materials from all types of resources. He shares many of these resources in order to make it easy to shop for them to begin your project. He also explains that you can use just about any material, and many may be right in your home or studio. This technique is very achievable for the beginner or the more experienced mosaic artist. In addition, there are many close-up views of David teaching how he cuts different tesserae using wheeled nippers and other tools.

This online course is broken up into sections. David suggests watching the course all the way through to understand the process. This way, students will have a better understanding of the project from beginning to end.

There is a downloadable PDF with a full list of all the tools, materials, and resources to get started on this inspiring and creative online course! Check out the FREE promo video and interview with David above this text.

Description of Shapes and Forms of Thin Set and Mesh:

If you have been looking to create a variety of undulated and distinctive shaped substrates with a simple process, then we have the course for you!

Learning to create your own substrates can give you so much freedom when it is time to create your mosaic art. This is also a great course if you are looking for a foolproof way to create works that will weather the exterior elements.

In this course you will learn:

  • David's favorite mesh and thin set
  • How to use simple objects to create your shapes
  • How to create templates for your shapes
  • How to get the proper consistency of the thin set to make your shapes
  • Best practices for curing the thin set shapes
  • How to create a magic carpet shape
  • How to create a leaf shape
  • How to create a spiral shape
  • How to install hanging hardware for the 3D shapes

With this BUNDLE option you will be able to implement the techniques from David's “Organic Abstract” course and see how easy it is to apply those concepts to the substrates you will create. In this course David uses the “Magic Carpet” substrate combined with the “Organic Abstract” to help inspire your creativity.

This course comes with a PDF for download with a list of the tools, materials, and resources David recommends.


Your Instructor


David Jarvinen
David Jarvinen

I came to the mosaic industry through ceramic tile contracting and a couple of clay artists. Our business was remodeling kitchens and baths with ceramic and glass tile, and doing tile jobs most other contractors wouldn’t. This led to a reputation for being creative.

During this time, I met those couple of clay artists that asked me to assist with their school and public mural installations they had created. It was great fun and I volunteered to help. Then, after a year or two of volunteering, I landed a paying gig to cover for one of the artist installers, as they needed to go out of town. That was the beginning. Circa 1998.

From this beginning, I worked to incorporate mosaics into my contracting business and there was a market! It wasn’t huge, but it was there—I worked to make mosaics mainstream through our business and have had some happy customers as a result.

Most of my work was architectural in nature. Then the clay artist who had instructed classes, for which I assisted—was moving out of state, so I approached the host venues and inquired to see if I could take over for her. They were happy to give me a try. That was the beginning of my instruction career. Circa 2004.

I continued to expand my collaborations and as of 2017 I am continuing to instruct, learn and create mosaics!


Courses Included with Purchase



Organic Abstract Mosaic with David Jarvinen
Learn this fun and creative approach to organic abstract mosaics.
David Jarvinen
$179
Shapes and Forms of Thin-set and Mesh with David Jarvinen
Create wonderful and whimsical forms to apply your mosaic!
David Jarvinen
$107

Original Price: $286


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 14 days and we will give you a full refund.

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