Fragments Reimagined- Disruption in Mosaic Art with Tami Macala
Learn to integrate unconventional materials into beautifully balanced mosaic compositions
Enroll in Course
What does disruption mean when it comes to creating art?
It can be the unexpected.
It can be choosing materials that are unconventional.
It can be creating something that doesn’t fit neatly into one category or lane.
In this course, Tami Macala invites you into her unique approach to Fragments Reimagined: Disruption in Mosaic Art.
Disruption is about stepping outside of what’s expected…while still creating something intentional, balanced, and artistically your own.
Because why spend hours, sometimes days, creating something that doesn’t feel like an expression of who you are?
Mosaic art should be about pushing those boundaries.
In this course, you will see how to incorporate materials and found objects that go far beyond what you can purchase at a traditional mosaic supplier or art store, objects with history, texture, and character that bring a whole new dimension to your work.
What You’ll Learn
Tami will take you step-by-step through her entire creative process:
- Finding Your Materials
Discover where to source found objects, whether in nature, your surroundings, or places you love to explore - Seeing with an Artist’s Eye
Learn how to transform your overlooked, forgotten, or unusual items into intentional design elements - Building a Strong Composition
Starting with the dry-lay process, adjusting and refining until the composition feels balanced - Blending Traditional & Unexpected Materials
Explore how to incorporate tesserae alongside found objects, using simple color theory and andamento techniques to create harmony, contrast, and visual interest - Attaching Challenging Materials
Gain the skills to securely adhere irregular, heavy, or even rusty objects so your mosaic is durable and built to last. - Finishing & Hanging Your Work
Learn how to properly install hanging hardware for heavier pieces so your work can be safely displayed and enjoyed
By the end of this course, you’ll have the confidence and skills to take those odd, beautiful, collected objects and transform them into a mosaic that is personal, expressive, and entirely your own.
Included is a downloadable PDF with Tami's suggested tools, materials, and resources to support you every step of the way.
Your Instructor
Tami Macala, founder and owner of Mosaic Arts Online and Create Arts Online, has always had her hand in art. She started out at eleven years old as an oil painter, winning awards throughout Southern California. With a fashion and textile design degree, Tami began a twenty-year career in the movie and television industry as a costumer, dressing leading actors and actresses. Not feeling completely fulfilled as a costumer and the long hours, Tami found a new passion in mosaic art and in true fashion, became a self-taught mosaic artist while continuing her successful career in the entertainment world.
In 2000, Tami started her first company, All Cracked Up Mosaics, creating personal and custom-designed mosaic art commissions for clients all over the US.
In 2009, Tami began teaching mosaic art. She founded her second business, The Santa Barbara School of Mosaic Art, teaching her favorite art medium. There, she brought in world-renowned mosaic artists to teach her students, creating a hub of learning and inspiration.
In 2015, Tami retired from the entertainment industry and founded her latest companies, Mosaic Arts Online and Create Arts Online. Tami and her husband, Jerry, now produce online courses with some of the most sought-after artists in mosaic, mixed media, and fine art.
Course Curriculum
-
StartIntro to Fragments Reimagined: Disruption in Mosaic Art with Tami Macala (3:37)
-
StartPDF for download: Suggested Tools, Materials, and Resources.
-
StartCourse Overview (1:56)
-
StartMaterials Tour (3:37)
-
StartThe Substrate (2:57)
-
StartCutting Demo with Multiple Tools (6:34)
-
StartWhen Is Enough, Enough? (3:00)
-
StartDry Laying Found Objects: Considering the Composition (10:25)
-
StartAdd Tinted Mortar to Piping Bag (3:49)
-
StartAdhering the Found Objects-Part 1 (13:01)
-
StartAdhering the Found Objects-Part 2 (6:13)
-
StartColor Palette (3:43)
-
StartAdhering the First Pieces of Tesserae (11:16)
-
StartMaking New Decisions for Directional Flow (5:04)
-
StartAdd a Line of Smalti (11:09)
-
StartAround the Smalti Line (20:13)
-
StartFinding Keystone Pieces in the Mexican Smalti (15:25)
-
StartWorking Around the Disruption (6:06)
-
StartFilling in Space with Rusty Nails (10:45)
-
StartWorking in Odd Numbers (5:32)
-
StartHow to Work in a Boxed In Area (8:45)
-
StartSdoppiamento: Splitting the Line (10:40)
-
StartReviewing Latest Lines (1:29)
-
Start3 Hacks To Help You Create (4:58)
-
StartReviewing Before Adding the Filati (4:33)
-
StartAdd Filati for More Interest and Pop (6:42)
-
StartReview and Wrap Up! (2:02)
-
StartBONUS: Hanging Hardware Demo (7:45)