Mosaic Portraits by S A Schimmel Gold

Sandhi is an Arizona artist, an avid recycler, a composter, who shops local and thinks global.

About six years ago, she finalized a process of discovery – she developed a style of eco-friendly mixed media art that marries her love of painting with mosaic – and allows her to use non-toxic materials and upcycle paper that would otherwise go to waste.

“I’ve been an artist all of my life and have always been fascinated by mosaics. As a painter, my style leans more towards Pop art, clean lines & color.

I have always painted faces. I peruse magazines, books, etc. to find inspiration.

I studied painting in art schools in NY, CA & AZ and studied mosaics in the Mediterranean.

For several years, I tried to create “mosaic” portraits with paint but was never satisfied… then, a number of years ago I was awed by a glass mosaic portrait I saw in Venice. I came home and tried to create the same thing, but the lack of tiny glass tiles in a myriad of colors frustrated
me [when it practically rains glass in Venice!]… and I didn’t want to cut glass, so I using old greeting card “tiles” on a pop art portrait.

It was a good start!

I have been creating and selling portraits in this new medium for several years now, I have collectors in the US, Europe and Asia.

I also create custom portraits from photos.

My work has been in museums and fine art galleries from NY to CA. It has been featured in a number of national magazines. That said, I’m still
pretty much unknown.

I start by painting the portrait on canvas and then cover the entire image with the “tiles” that are made out of advertising ephemera… postcards,
greeting cards, calendars, packaging…junk mail. Everything is hand done – no computers, no tools, VERY low-tech… everything is cut and affixed by hand. Each portrait is made up of hundreds if not thousands of individual pieces. Yes, it is tedious and time consuming – isn’t that what
art is all about? Every piece is one-of-a-kind.”

All of the materials used are acid-free, water-based and non-toxic.

To visit Sandhi’s website, click on http://www.schimmelart.com.