Mighty Mosaics on Small Substrates with Tami Macala
Small and achievable mosaics that leave you feeling gratified
Enroll in Course
Imagine taking a small substrate, using your favorite materials, and creating a “Small But Mighty” mosaic. You are probably asking what does “Small But Mighty” actually mean. To Tami Macala, it means creating something small with intention and gratification. In this course Tami shares how to make a mosaic art project efficiently, but with great quality. She will describe how they can be made small and still have a large impact. She will also address how they can cost less to make, yet still feel like a piece of beautiful craftsmanship.
We all know that creating mosaic art is not “quick art.” Each piece of tesserae is chosen, cut, trimmed, and placed which takes a great deal of time and execution. Would you like to learn to create a small piece that is satisfying and can be done in a fraction of the time it takes to create something large? Tami has created this course to teach you how to use basic art elements while creating a piece with beauty and quality.
In this course you will learn:
- Why small but mighty can be so gratifying
- Tami’s favorite substrates, tools, and materials
- How to use admix with your mortar
- How to cut large pieces of Mexican smalti aka Tortillas
- How to create balance on a small substrate using small, medium, and large pieces
- Why you do not have to cover your whole substrate with tesserae
- How to create simple lines in a small space
- How to repair a substrate after pulling up pieces that don’t work
- How to finish a small but mighty mosaic
You will watch and learn as Tami creates a six by six mosaic: from choosing her substrate, to adding the last piece of tesserae. Tami shares many techniques throughout this course that can be used in other mosaic art projects. Once you learn Tami’s methods you will have the skills and confidence to create countless “Small But Mighty” mosaics to add to your collection.
Included in this course is a PDF for download with all of the suggested tools, materials, and resources.
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
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StartIntro to Small but Mighty with Tami Macala (2:39)
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StartPDF for download. Suggested tools, materials, and resources
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StartOverview of the course (7:15)
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StartThe substrate (4:03)
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StartPrepping the substrate (4:26)
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StartOverview of the materials (2:58)
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StartOverview of the tools (2:33)
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StartTinted adhesive (3:23)
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StartCovering the real estate (8:19)
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StartMaking creative choices (9:15)
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StartHow to work through challenges (3:49)
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StartCreating a new line against the tortilla (8:59)
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StartMaking changes and new ideas (8:25)
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StartPulling up pieces that did not work (4:23)
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StartThe Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (2:45)
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StartRepairing the substrate with mortar (3:33)
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StartCreating balance with small, medium, and large pieces (2:44)
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StartUnicorns (1:24)
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StartSmoothing out the negative space with black mortar (4:04)
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StartWrap up and thank you! (4:20)