Gretchen Schaefer of Great Blue Mosaic
An artist since childhood, exploring all manner of media from fiber to metalwork to painting, I turned to mosaic in 2000. Mosaic allows me to combine my love of texture, color and fine craftsmanship to create images inspired by the natural world.
My influences are diverse, from the patterns and stylized forms of Roman and Byzantine mosaic to the paintings of Gustav Klimt, with their juxtaposition of naturalistic portraiture against atomized, abstract fields.
I concentrate on natural images, notably wildlife found where land and water meet – fish, dragonflies and, in particular, herons, to which I have dedicated a series of mosaics.
The use of natural stone in combination with classic mosaic materials such as smalti, porcelain, marble and glass allows me to contrast color, texture and reflectivity in my work.
I do business as Great Blue Mosaic and produce fine art wall pieces and sculpture, a line of decorative vessels and a line of mosaic jewelry. I work with contractors and individuals on custom commissions.