Juanita Canzoneri of JCanz Studio
Artist’s Information Statement
mixed-media glass (or glass mosaics)
If “mosaics” is not a term you are comfortable with, please consider me a mixed-media glass artist. According to an article in Niche magazine, mixed-media glass is a hot trend. Since I work in glass and other materials (glue, grout, paper, collage items, paint, etc.) this is a good way to classify my work.
Like many mosaicists, I experimented with fabric arts for years (and probably have a recessive quilting gene). What I found was that, while the process was fulfilling, I was often left with too little actual texture in the finished project. Very unsatisfying for the “texture freak” that I am. With mosaics I please both my visual and kinesthetic requirements. My work can be touched, yet has a quiet sparkle to it which moves with the light.
There are myriad materials that can be used, but what drew me to the art form are the two centimeter square glass tiles called “vitreous glass tile.” I am constantly experimenting with other forms of glass—stained, mirror, textured, tempered, and plate—and find it only keeps getting better. Glass constantly amazes me. The texture and color range is wide enough and vibrant enough to accommodate just about any design and it contains both a visual and kinesthetic texture and is resistant to fading and stain.
I primarily use a tool called a tile cutter which allows for a more controlled cut with little hand fatigue. The added precision helps to make much smaller cuts, thus allowing me to play with designs ranging from full tiles to fiddley little bits of glass. Most of my art pieces have been worked using the direct method—where the tiles are glued directly to the base material and then grouted.
Silicone tends to me my glue of choice with glass-on-glass and exterior work. It dries completely clear and allows both the base and tiles to move at their own rates of expansion—very important with pieces made to be displayed in windows or full sun, such as my window jewelry or large sculptures.
I generally grout my work and keep a variety of grout colors on hand and often custom blend my colors to get the desired effect. Finding the right color can be the most uncertain step in the process. After the grout been wiped clean and left to dry for a day or so I finish the cleaning process with a clean-water rinse or a mild acid solution.
Rather than suffer my art addiction quietly I seek to infect as many other people as I can. Mosaics are experiencing resurgence in interest and I have the privilege of teaching people who are drawn to this ancient art form. I believe everyone has the ability to create and delight in encouraging others to explore this side of their personality, if for no other reason than for the fun of it.
