By Chad Ingram

Published Sept. 26 2017

It was the Haliburton County Studio Tour that inspired Cathy Taylor to begin creating her vibrant mosaic artwork.

“I became interested in making mosaics in 2005 when I visited a mosaic studio on the Haliburton Studio Tour” says Taylor whose own mosaic studio is a stop on this year’s tour.  “It was a time in my life when I was looking for a different craft or hobby and something about it really appealed to me.”

Since that time Taylor has continued to evolve her second career seeking out and taking courses from international instructors.

She draws inspiration from the landscape of the Haliburton Highlands including the scenes she takes in from her home on Mountain Lake.

“Nature and my surroundings are my themes” Taylor explains. “If I am on the dock in the boat or going for a drive my camera is close by to capture moments that I can include in my art.”

Her studio is located in her walkout basement overlooking the lake and she spends ample time there.

“I spend a minimum of four hours a day in my studio” Taylor says. “In this setting doing something that I love it does not feel like work.”

Creating a variety of styles of mosaics some much larger than others Taylor uses a a variety of materials in their creation.

“Most of my painterly glasswork is made with a product called Smalti that I purchase from Venice Italy” she explains. “My large scale murals and wall art are made from porcelain and ceramic tile and slate. I source much of this at thrift and re-stores. For specific colours I will order from a tile manufacturer. I will also be offering some whimsical Picassiette landscapes that are made from old and new dinnerware.”

Taylor is driven by a need to create and a desire to challenge herself.

“I recently challenged myself to do a mosaic of my son water-skiing” she says. “When demonstrating at the Rails End Gallery this summer a woman referred to it as an ‘heirloom piece.’ Her statement captured my personal feelings and attachment to this piece.”

Taylor invites the public to check out her studio during the tour noting she is the only mosiac artist on this year’s circuit.

“My painterly-like mosaics are a contemporary style which is a unique experience for most people” she says. “When taking a closer look they are always astounded at the number of little pieces that go into one of my creations. Frequent comments are that they have never seen anything like this before. I am the only mosaic artist on the tour and that in itself makes my studio a different and worthwhile stop.”

Taylor’s studio is located at 1032 Sintonia Lane in Minden Hills.

The tour happens over two weekends on Saturday Sept. 30 Sunday Oct. 1 Saturday Oct. 7 and Sunday Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.