Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariel Shoemaker.
Ariel, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started doing mosaics in early 2002- it was how I dealt with the tragedy of September 11th. I remember reading everything that I could get my hands on and just loving how I fit the broken pieces of glass together. There’s something really powerful about creating a beautiful work of art from an infinite number of smaller, broken things.
For a while I taught classes out of my studio, but now I focus on making custom artwork for clients’ homes. About half of my work is installed by contractors. People love how my work lets them know that their home is really theirs, not just a spec house that they walked into. Clients take pride in being involved in the design process and knowing that the work their getting truly reflects their tastes. I like to say that the glass “dances” in the light. The way my art looks in the morning light will be slightly different than the middle of the day or the late afternoon. It’s almost like the mosaic is alive.
I’ve made pieces for people that remind them of places they’ve been, people they love, or even the bible! One of my first large pieces has about twenty tiles that are laser etched saying “Psalm 91”. Only the owner knows where they are in the piece, as it’s very subtle.
For me, the best part of my work is when the client tells me how happy the work makes them. It’s not just about something beautiful, it’s about making something that really means something to the client.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha! No, it has not been a smooth road.
Where should I start . . . first, I had to choose a balance between teaching and making my own art. I found that I was able to grow the most when I could focus on my own product. Second, every time I think I’ve seen it all, someone proves me wrong. People come all the time with really interesting design challenges. My husband, Brian, is helpful in proposing solutions to some of the more interesting ideas that clients want. Sometimes I feel like a therapist, helping a couple decide on what they really want for their house. Oh, and cutting every single piece of glass by hand often takes longer than expected, but it’s worth it.
Mosaics by Ariel – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I make everything from scratch, to the specification of the client. I’m most famous for my pieces that “flow”, where the glass seems to have movement to it. I also get many requests for something I call a “gradient”, where the color changes from one side of the piece to the other.
One thing that sets me apart from other mosaic artists is my use of multiple materials. I use many types of glass, including recycled/reclaimed glass. I also use stained glass which adds another level of texture. I sometimes use items that are meaningful to my clients like jewelry from their grandmother or aunt.
My husband can make a substrate in virtually any shape which allows for endless possibilities.
I work with either the homeowner directly, their kitchen designer or their interior decorator.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
When I started getting clients in California, Texas, Florida, Maryland and New York, I knew that things were going in the right direction. People tell me that what I do they can’t find anywhere else.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.afsmosaics.com/
- Phone: 617-905-6629
- Email: ariel@mosaicsbyariel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mosaicsbyarielfineltshoemaker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosaicsbyariel/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mosaicsbyariel?lang=en
- Yelp: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-shoemaker
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/mosaicsbyariel/mosaicsbyariel
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