My name is Elyse Sullivan. I am a mosaic artist from Fort Worth, Texas. I create mosaics with stained glass that are on a solid backing with a frame meant to be hung on a wall. I draw out my design, then cut each piece by hand with either glass nippers or, if I am needing to create a specific line or shape, by scoring and breaking it. If I’m wanting to have a very clean edge, I use a glass saw or a grinder. I then set and glue each piece into place 1 at a time. Once the glass portion is complete, I grout it.

I have always been drawn to mosaics, but my knowledge of them was very limited, and I had only seen more decorative mosaics, like on birdbaths or picture frames. In college, I took a Roman Art course that opened my eyes to the incredible mosaics that exist in Europe. This led me to attend a mosaic course with my mom in Ravenna, Italy, which is known for having mosaics that date back as far as the 5th and 6th centuries. In this course, I learned both the ancient and modern methods of creating mosaics. I gained a deep appreciation of the artform, especially when our class went to see the mosaics in the churches after understanding how much time and effort it took to create only 2 small mosaics. This inspired me immensely and after I came home, I began to practice and develop my own style.  

The traditional method of creating mosaics is to cut individual squares of glass and create a picture with them. I’ve learned that I love to work with stained glass sheets because it gives me the ability to cut large or small pieces of glass of any shape.  As an artist, I enjoy this method because I feel like I can somewhat “paint” with the glass. It is much more freeing to me when I am creating. I enjoy using a variety of colors of glass and grout to achieve shading and depth. I am inspired by nature, living things, light, and reflections. My father was an artist. He passed away when I was 3, and as I create art now, it helps me to feel a connection to him, because his love of art continues through me. This is why I chose to keep my maiden name, “Calhoun” connected to my art.

I make mosaics because I feel the most inspired and the most centered when I am creating.  I notice that it causes me to look more deeply at the world around me, the lines, the colors, the reflections. It inspires a curiosity and an appreciation for the world in which I live down to the simplest of things. It reminds me to see the array of colors in my daughter’s hair, the reflections on the creek near my house, or the light illuminating my dog’s ears as the sun sets. The more aware and tuned in to the beauty that exists all around me each day, the more I want to create it in mosaic form.

Mosaic artwork is different from painting in that it reflects the sun. It thrills me when I see people leaning into my work and reaching out to touch it, as it is my hope that my work reminds people to first notice and then be inspired by the beauty that exists around us, then lean into it and touch this world full of life and beauty.