Several years ago I visited a painter friend at his studio in Texas. One of the people with whom he shared the space was a mosaic artist, and for the first time I was able to take a close look at a mosaic work in progress. The creative process really appealed to me, and as soon as I got home I collected enough materials to mosaic two small shelves. Since then I've decorated birdhouses, garden niches and finials, picture frames, mirrors, cabinets, and tables. I am also working on large scale commissions for patios, kitchens and bathrooms. With broken china and porcelain, stained glass, seashells, mirrors, marbles, beads, stamped ceramic tiles and handmade ceramic pieces, I transform street finds, junk store bargains, and pass-along from friends into usable artworks.

I grew up near the border between Texas and Mexico, and Mexican folk art traditions have been a great influence on my work. My mosaic designs are usually characterized by strong colors, varied components, and a natural flow. First I decide on the palette I will use for a specific piece, and choose accordingly from my collection of materials. The shape of the piece that I am covering dictates the pattern, which evolves as I go along. Usually I lay out part of a design before I commit to gluing any materials down, so that I can adjust if necessary. Colored grout plays an important role in pulling it all together at the end.

For me creating mosaics is a lot like quilting: I recycle discarded fragments of life by rearranging them into new patterns and possibilities. I hope my mosaics are as compelling to others as the making of them is to me.