**this is an extension of my new blogsite

“Blue Leaf Abstract” 2008 4”x4” Raw  Marble, Italian Smalti, Gold

NEWS FROM LAURA AIKEN A MOSAIC STUDIO 864-360-3811 laura@amosaicstudio.com  NEW WORKSHOP SCHEDULE I finally have my new schedule available.  Thanks to all that have asked.  It seems that a lot of teens have been interested in my workshops!  This summer I will be offering teens and preteens summer camps.  Please be on the look out for these classes.  If you would like to talk further to me about these please give me a call 864-360-3811 or email I will have a schedule in the next month hopefully.  I am really looking forward to this opportunity.  ART EDUCATION Greenville Tech Charter High School For the third year in a row, I have been delighted to be a guest artist at Greenville Charter High School, for their Arts Intersession. I can’t tell you how much fun this is to be with the teenagers for 4 days and introduce them to the wonderful art of mosaic. We worked with glass tile (vitreous) and created great signs of their second project was a paper mosaic, which they as a group created a 2 feet x 1 foot panel.  I was really impressed with both groups.  Read more on my blog.. BIG NEWS for me!  My “Self Portrait” has been accepted in the exhibit Faces at the Ciel Gallery in Charlotte, NC.  Please join us for this interesting art show through the end of February 2009. Etsy.com:    ETSY is an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade. You’ll find a creative community of independent artists and designers and the very best in handmade goods, craft supplies and vintage. It’s an excellent place to find one-of-a-kind items, to give as gifts – or as gifts for yourself! Since you’re buying directly from artists on Etsy, you have the special opportunity to form personal connections with the people who create your treasures. If you have not visited Etsy.com (this is my shop at Etsy) you don’t know what you are missing! I will be adding more items but for now I have personalized signature cabs…these can be make with your own personal signature. Great to sign your work with.  I will be adding more work soon. Interesting Link:   Savvy Speech: 10 Netiquette New Year’s Resolutions New Link: Carolina Artworks Please support our local artists.  New sites will be added soon. Book of the Month – Paper Paintings by Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson  Elizabeth lives in Orlando Fl.  What an artist. Quote of the month:  “How important are the visual arts in our society?  I feel strongly that the visual arts are of vast and incalculable importance.  Of course I could be prejudiced.  I am a visual art.” –Kermit the Frog Greenville, SC Event: Charcoals by J.J. Ohlinger in Greenville Wednesday January 14th, 2009 through Tuesday February 10th, 2009 Columbia, SC Event: The 2009 SC Book Festival will be held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC on February 27–March 1, 2009. Greer, SC Events: Eventful check this link South Carolina Art Events:  Arts Daily Charlotte NC Event: FACES exhibit – Ciel Gallery was created by Pamela Pardue Goode, a local artist and member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists, British Association for Modern Mosaics, and Charlotte Art League.  Join us for the opening February 6, 2009 ! Are you a member of the Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC) if you are not, you should be.  This website provides the most comprehensive listing of events and information on the arts in Greenville County. It also gives you access to over 500 visual artists and over 50 arts organizations that comprise our cultural community.  It is free to join!  Please support the Greenville Arts! My blogs and website links: My Personal Blog Buy My Work Carolina Artworks My Workshop Schedule   ************************************************************************* If you have enjoyed this newsletter I encourage you to share it with friends and family.  I also appreciate your help in spreading the word about my mosaic art.  Without your support I would not be writing this newsletter.  The mosaic artwork is all hand-created on nylon mesh and is totally transportable.  I ship anywhere in the world.  Other works include painting, fused glass jewelry and accent tiles, artist’s website construction, and limited graphic work. Best of days to you!   “Invest in fine art mosaic, it lives beyond a lifetime.”