[.ca] Mosaics: Inspiration and Original Projects for Interiors ... (ISBN 1561585688)

From Amazon.com:
Superb colorist Kaffe Fassett departs from his usual medium of textiles to unleash his magic on the world of mosaics. Teamed with expert needle artist-turned-mosaicist Candace Bahouth, Fassett proves no less adept at manipulating the harder materials--glass and ceramic tesserae, broken china and tiles, mirror fragments, pebbles, seashells, and even faux pearls--than his accustomed softer substances of fabric and yarn. As with most of Fassett's oeuvre, this volume is more an assemblage of highly imaginative ideas than a traditional how-to approach. A number of the projects do include step-by-step instructions and there is good coverage of the basics (tools, materials, bases, tesserae preparation, adhesives, grouting), but the presentation presumes the readers' willingness to experiment, as well as some degree of confidence in their own creativity. But again, as is typical of Fassett's productions, the simple act of leafing through these pages offers unlimited inspiration. Stunning photographs abound with brilliant hues and spectacular creations by the authors and by mosaic artists around the world: grottoes, chapels, cars, walls, furniture, terraces, entire buildings. And perhaps mosaic work is not so different from textile manipulation after all: witness the many pieces composed like a patchwork quilt, or the tapestry-upholstered armchair that reveals itself actually to be entirely covered not in fabric but in ceramic tesserae. This volume is truly a feast for the eyes. --Amy Handy

Fire Up Your Imagination!:
If you think that beautiful mosaics can only be done with china and tile, you haven't seen this book yet! If you're tired of the sweet, pink rose mosaics, then this is the book for you! The mosaics in this book are done in a delicious tapestry of jewel tones, often highlighted by found objects. The dazzling images in this book will have you looking around your house with a new eye and your hammer. I purchased this because I have a killer knitting book by Kaffe and I wasn't disappointed! This is visual yumminess!

This Book Makes Me Happy.:
Kaffe and Bahouth have presented a rather wide range of styles for and applications in mosaic. Don't know that I actually want to replicate anything ( what a bore), but it gives me pleasure to contemplate the creative images in this inspiring book.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!:
This book is a wonderful inspiration. I want all my surfaces and objects to be soooooo...vibrant with color. I have many mosaic books but this is the one I reach for when I am stuck for color or interesting ways of combining tessare to objects. I love it! It has lead me to explore all of Kaffe Fassett's books, he is genius with color. No other textile or mosaic artist has made me soar with inspiration!

Full of Personality!:
I love this book. It is quirkiness in action - something to pick up on a gray day when you need life and colour and romance around you. The authors each have their strengths and complement each other beautifully. How fortunate for their readers that they teamed up on this project! Candace Bahouth's tapestry chair and shell grotto are spectacular, monumental projects, executed by an artist with great technical vision. Kaffe Fassett's work, on the other hand, is loose, playful and free-flowing. Colour is his thing, not working with methodical precision. I have a large collection of mosaic books, and this is definitely not the book I turn to when planning a complex project or looking for technical information. It is the book I pick up when I want to remind myself of why I love mosaic art.

Essential:
My first review... This book is the best out there (and I have seen almost all). The work is simply beautiful, unique, quirky-fun but mature, inspiring, well documented and wonderfully photographed (it's on my coffee table). The two authors, each with different styles and both fluent in multiple media, bring depth that is poorly lacking in most books on the subject. For any pique assiette/found objects mosaicist, or artists who play with color, pattern, design, mixed media, texture and space I recommend it highly. (While not on mosaic per se, Fassett's other books have too proved invaluable in my work. They're worth perusing if for no other reason than checking out this man's house! Whoa Nelly!)