Laurel True has been creating mosaics for twelve years. Her architectural, sculptural and public art mosaics adorn parks, hospitals, schools, public buildings, restaurants, shops, and private residences across the United States. Her most recent project took her to West Africa, where she designed and facilitated a community mosaic mural project in a fishing village in Ghaha.

True uses ceramic tile, glass, stone and mirror to create resplendent mosaics representing everything from natural motifs to fantastical environments. She is known for her representational murals, which often depict the local history of an area, or reflect the surroundings of the sites in which they are located. She uses specially cut and shaped pieces to create both realistic and
stylized forms. Pieces- called tesserae- can be anywhere from 1/8 square inches and upwards, depending on the project. True is also known for her sculptural mosaic benches that invite the viewer to become a part of the artwork.

True's work is suited to both interior and exterior sites, is weather resistant and easy to maintain. Use of reflective glass and mirror and glazed tiles enhances the beauty of a piece by adding an element of movement and change, depending on the lighting, time of day and where the viewer is standing.

True says,

"My personal art history began with the study of fashion design and pieced, woven and dyed textiles, especially from the African Diaspora. I got my start doing mosaics by first exploring these textile arts and experimenting with mixed media collage. I found myself attracted to mirror, glass and fragments that could be arranged in different ways. I was especially intrigued by the crossovers I noted in my studies of quilt making and traditional mosaic designs. Some of the patterns were identical. Fabric and mixed media piecework changed into mosaic piecework after I saw the artwork of untraditional mosaicist Isaiah Zagar, in Philadelphia.

"Isaiah's large- scale architectural mosaic work intrigued,
excited and inspired me and in early 1991, I moved to Philadelphia to work with, and learn from him. It was through Isaiah that I was exposed to the art of other mosaic masters, both traditional and non- traditional. After a four-month apprenticeship, I began to create my own architectural tile and glass mosaics in the form of work for the wall, exterior signage, floor insets, kitchen backsplashes and bathrooms. I moved to a small city in the Midwest, where I was able to cover a lot of area with my mosaics including shops, cafes, restaurants and private homes. I also made beautiful, fine art mosaics using glass and mixed medias for private collections. I exhibited my work in solo and group shows in area galleries and sold pieces in shops specializing in fine crafts.

"Other important creative influences in my life are; Niki de Saint Phalle (my heroine), Antonio Gaudi, Twin Seven Seven from Nigeria, Gustav Klimt, Raymond Isadore, Mona Webb from Wisconsin, Daouda Diouk from Senegal, John Biggers, Huntervasser and traditional, spiritual, folk and textile arts from the southern United States, West Africa, Haiti and Latin America. I am also greatly inspired by the decorative arts of India, Morocco, Mexico, and the African Diaspora.

"I moved to San Francisco in 1995, where I started to experiment with handmade tile and began doing public art and community projects. I became involved in the local art community and gave classes and workshops, as well as participating in group exhibitions. Now, I take on students and apprentices myself, working on public art, mosaic sculptural forms, murals, private homes and garden mosaics.

"I love what I do and consider my work life a dream come true.
After years of perseverance and struggle as a self -supporting
artist, I am happy to be able to work, travel and do mosaics all I
want... and then some. I have three great assistants and an
apprentice from Japan. We have a lot of fun in the studio while
working really hard. Life is good.

"I work about 60 hours a week, generally having from one to four projects going at one time of various sizes. Doing private
commissions allows me the financial freedom to take on low or
non-paying community and school projects and low budget public art, both of which I love to do. I enjoy teaching mosaics to both kids and adults and seeing group projects come together.

"My over 50 architectural projects have taken me to Ghana, New Orleans, Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York, St. Paul, Milwaukee, San Diego and the Bay Area. I have studied mosaics and visited mosaic sites all over the world, including: Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy, France, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, England, Austria and the Caribbean.

"I am happy and grateful for all my opportunities and adventures. I love being an artist and mosaicist and strive to be a great teacher and student."

Recent clients for public work include:

Children's Hospital of San Diego
The City of Pleasanton, CA
Longs Drug Stores
Berkley High School, Berkeley, CA
Velocity Circus Museum, San Francisco, CA
Head Start Program, Marin County, CA