Zorra Creative Fox Studio is the “artist” name I work under, creating unique mosaics from mixed media and found objects.
I’ve always been active in art, but never as a professional. Then I stumbled into mosaics and found something special in the therapeutic nipping of tiles that had me hooked. I made so many things I had to start selling them (or else risk covering our house in broken crockery!). I truly believe I was gifted with the healing power of mosaics during a very difficult time in my life—and that the process itself helped me build my identity as an artist.
Every time I break a piece of glass, china, or jewelry to include in a larger mosaic, I’m reminded to live in the light. As Leonard Cohen wrote, “the cracks are where the light gets in.” I believe there is beauty in the broken.
The mosaic process takes time. Sometimes I’ll pre-cut all the tesserae (tiles or anything I want to glue onto the surface) into general pieces, adjusting as I go. Other times, I’ll start with a whole plate or cup and just see what happens with the organic cuts. I never use a saw—I like the surprise of working with what emerges. This frees me from being in complete control and lets spontaneity show up, both in subject and in material. (Keeping a treasure trove of mixed media finds is half the fun!)
After the tesserae have cured for at least 24 hours, I grout. Usually, I work with gray, white, or black grout, but sometimes I tint the grout to play with color. Then it’s on to cleaning—scrubbing with vinegar and a toothbrush, picking out stray bits of grout, doing a final polish and clean (I often ask my mom to help with this). Sometimes I finish pieces with a clear resin coat, especially if a piece needs extra protection or something to “tie it together.” Only then is it ready for photographs and sharing.
At the heart of it, mosaics remind me that brokenness isn’t an ending. Every fragment contributes to a new whole, each piece carrying its story into something larger. That’s where the light gets in—and where the beauty begins.
With gratitude to my mosaic mentors and inspirations:
Betsy Gruy • Kelly Aaron • Allison Turner • Jolino Besera • Susan Welsher • Debra Mager • Gila Ralenberg • Aly Winningham • Dianne Sonneberg • and Karen Sasine of Rainbow Mosaics/Mosaic Mentoring (the kindest place on Facebook!)