Mosaic New Mexico

Holly Kuehn

Website:  eclecticclay.weebly.com

 

Creating has always been a part of my life. As a young child I loved to draw and color. In high school I was allowed to talk about my paintings in speech class. As an adult I dabbled in oil painting, pen/charcoal drawing, batik, paper-mache sculpture and woodworking.  I am self taught. Though the obligatory attempt at art school was made, I felt no need to pursue it as the instructions seemed to "interfere with my education"!

 

I started working with clay 14 years ago when I needed tiles for my bathroom. I feel that it brings together my past art experiences of drawing, painting and sculpture. About 1 1/2 years ago I added glass along with clay after I was asked to be in the "Pieces of the Whole" mosaic show. I had wanted to use glass and clay together and this gave me the opportunity to experiment. Clay is basically mud. Glass is ethereal like light. Together they make a fascinating duo.

 

I feel excitement and awe when a piece has been "kissed by the kiln". When the whole becomes more than the sum of its parts I feel as if I've been given a gift. Many of my ideas come from landscapes inside and outside of me. I try to express emotions, beauty and the flow of life in my work.