Gold smalti, etched porcelain leaves, Oceanside mineral glass base, 2019
This tile was inspired by a handwritten note left by a child, Cooper D. at the Tree of Life memorial sit’e. The words of this verse are as meaningful today as they were when they were written. I was moved by the images on the national news in November of 2018, of people, young and old, who felt the need to do something in response to this tragedy. That impulse is what drove this project into being. There are times in which doing nothing is not an option and this was one of them. If this project can be the catalyst for conversation and action then we will have accomplished what we set out to do. We hope this project reflects hope and overshadows darkness.
Susan is a graphic designer and the owner of Vintage Mosaic which started in Mexico City in 1994. Since then, she has worked with vintage smalti glass mosaic in public works as well as personal commissions. She is currently co-president of the Austin Mosaic Guild and a member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists.