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THERESA CLEAVES

Artist's Studio

416 Valley Drive

Lansing, Kansas 66043

cleavesta@aol.com

Medium

mixed media mosaics

Style

My preferred style is small scale mosaic art that has a definitive subject or pattern. Each mosaic unit is generally ½” or less, with narrow grout joints through-out. The overall form is regimented but escapes being overly formal. The use of light reflecting tiles, color choices, motion lines and themes that center on nature and culture keep this old world art alive and exquisite.

Materials

Any porous base piece is first sealed, commonly with white craft glue. I cut the tesserae (mosaic units) to size with tile nippers. Tile adhesive secures the tesserae to the base. Direct method application is followed. Sanded dry mix grout is typical. Grout sealer is dependent on the mosaic materials used.   

Art Philosophy

There is a quotation posted in my workroom. I suppose I love it so because I believe our personal spaces are where we should be able to fully relax and reflect and recharge.  It was written by William Morris in his book, Hopes and Fears for Art, in 1882.  “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

Artistic Beginnings

I was born and raised on the Maine coast. My first art collection was vast quantities of sea glass picked up on the beach. I became addicted to fabric at an early age and still can’t resist a beautiful texture or color.  I learned to sew, knit and embroider as a young girl. I took several art classes in school, but have had no formal training. I made my first mosaic table when I broke a favorite blue and white dish belonging to my mother, who had died the previous year. I was a nurse for 25 years, fitting in art shows on the occasional weekend. In 2004 I left nursing to concentrate on my art work.

Exhibit Schedule 2008

Jan. 1-31, Dog & Cat Clinic Lobby
1101 N. 5^th St, Leavenworth, KS

Mar. 21-May 21. Argentine Library
2800 Metropolitan St, KC, KS

June 1-30, Lansing / Leavenworth Physicians Lobby
1004 Progress Dr, Lansing, KS

July 1-30, Mutual Savings Bank Gallery
5^th & Shawnee, Leavenworth, KS

Sept. 19-Oct 15, Main Library
625 Minnesota Ave, KC, KS

Oct 1-31, Cushing / St. Luke’s Home Health Care & Hospice Lobby
920 6^th Ave, Leavenworth, KS

Show Schedule 2008

Mar. 8-9, Home & Garden Show
Riverfront Community Center
Delaware & Esplanade Sts, Leavenworth, KS

May-Oct, 1^st Saturdays, 8am-2pm
Haymarket Flea Market
7^th & Cherokee Sts, Leavenworth, KS

Sept. 12-13, First City Festival
The Heritage Center
109 Delaware St, Leavenworth, KS

Dec. 5-20, Leavenworth Co. Artists Assn. Holiday Art Show
The Heritage Center
109 Delaware St, Leavenworth, KS

Sample of Artwork

Images shown below are the copyrighted work of the artist
and may not be reproduced.  See Terms of Website Use.

Click on each small picture to see a larger image.
 

Refuge from the Storm
Original watercolor of origami
birds, elegantly matted and
framed in black. This piece is
a study of contrasts in color,
line and form.

Sanctuary:
 A Garden for all Spaces
Mosaic pedestal sculpture.
 Each of four sides depicts a
different garden view,
rendered in stone,
glass and tile.

Love Is Courage
Paper collage that brings voice
to the walls we erect in our homes
and in our marriages as our
daily lives fill to overflowing.

Retreat to the Quiet Place
and
The Blue Vase
This mixed media collage of
peaceful images in my favored
Gauguin color palette and
this blue mosaic vase with
swirl design are my
personal favorites.

Changes

Over the past year I have expanded my art offerings to include watercolor and paper collage.  These are occasionally on exhibit at the Northland Exposure Artists Gallery and are regularly included in other venues.

Awards

Theme Award, Sept. 2007
First City Festival, Leavenworth, KS

Honorable Mention, Dec. 2007
Holiday Art Show, Leavenworth, KS

Memberships

Member artist, Northern Exposure Artists Gallery, Parkville, Missouri

Contributing artist, Sally’s Choices Gifts and Gallery, Leavenworth, Kansas

President, Leavenworth County Artists Association

Member Carnegie Arts Center, Leavenworth, Kansas

Education

Husson College and EMMC School of Nursing,
Bangor, Maine, 1978

SMVTI, Rockland, Maine, 1980