by Sandy Robertson: Mosaic Artist/Tutor
"imagine this - brought to you by the house of OzMosaics:  catwalk display of mosaic Garb!   Black fingernails to match of course!  When you book into an OzMosaics workshop, you never know what fun awaits you.  Sandy will teach you  how to hold a wine glass at art shows and how to get the best-ever smiles in photographs!  It's never failed yet!)

I am proud to invited by Koala Conventions, as their first mosaic tutor for the Convention next year at Brisbane Girls Grammar School (this is where the huge event takes place on an annual basis.

I will run 2 x 2 day workshops and one 4 day workshop.  Koala Productions will update their website with the 2009 program very soon - they have a very professional brochure available, jam-packed with information.  All mosaic workshops are to be booked through Koala Conventions (tell them Sandy sent you!).

I was a guest speaker at Koala Conventions at their book signing and wine and cheese evening, held this year on Sunday evening, July 6th 2008.  

I introduced the art of mosaics to a group of students who were attending the 2008 Koala Conventions retreat for the very best tuition available in Embroidery, Craft and Textile - from the ancient art form to contemporary! ....Much like our beloved mosaic art!.

It was a very congenial atmosphere and one artist had a book signing.  I spoke to the very large number of guests and students about my passion for mosaics, about MAANZ and a little on community art projects (Steve Irwin Mural project), the Karalee State School Mosaic Project and our Art from the Heart MAANZ project!

It was very moving to see the guests tossing money in a big blue mosaic pot, I did not get time to lug in the "money in the dunny" mosaic and many were very interested in the 3-D mosaic picture.  

Tutors and students discussed with me over a glass of wine, how we could merge the embroidery and the mosaics!  (more mosaic addicts will be born!)....

I was amazed that the first students I chatted with (whilst we tossed down some sparkly stuff - this washed the day's grout down well), came from Hobart, Western Australia, Darwin, Canberra (Maureen will vouch for this!) and the first tutors I met were from South Africa and New York.   I think the Brisbanites, were already back to their bases, working on homework!

This was exciting in itself, meeting and sharing experiences from their art, their home and even their gorgeous jewellery.

One dear lady had spent a wonderful day colouring silk for silk flowers on her hat at a silk floral class and quite a few ladies were sporting their art - gorgeous!

I immediately wanted to book into the embroidery workshops, but luckily for me, in another art life I did machine and hand embroidery and applique (way over the top, you know me!!) and I am in harmony with these ladies...I know just how to put their embroidery and beading touches into mosaic art and vice versa.  Brave moves in the world of embroidery (the needles will be handy!)...

The mosaic jewellery we could incorporate into the other artworks had me dreaming all the night....it could turn out alright....

..........The tulle and doilies, .......the ribbons and fabrics and I have a very good stash of it all downstairs, laces and beads from my other art life.  I have put these things into my mosaics for quite a while, but now I have let my imagination run wild.  I am making a piece for an art swap in the USA mosaic circles, which is going quite well. (it's under wraps at the moment!).  

Anyway, take a tour of the Koala Conventions website, order the brochure and perhaps I will meet you there next year, to work and play! 

The lucky participants this year, are off on a bus tour to Eumundi markets, where believe it or not, there is an OzMosaics stand and the beautiful Rachel Waller, my art agent is in residence there Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays....Serendipity!

Mosaics, beautiful surroundings, scenic tours, evening banquets, tutor displays, special presentations, on-site shop, great accommodation - Koala Productions has it all covered and Wendy and Andy Wilson are great organisers and hosts.  So start planning now for next July!  

Mosaics, home decor, jewellery, oh, it's too exciting!   MAANZ  members don't forget the Symposium will be in October 2009 in Brisbane - so much to look forward to.  Go and join MAANZ and be informed about mosaics in Australia and New Zealand - the members make up a human mosaic network that's hard to beat!

Cheers,
Sandy Robertson
OzMosaics Mosaic Artist/Instructor
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