Shying away from the traditional form of mosaic art, which generally uses broken crockery and ready cut tiles, I am constantly driven by the desire to find unusual materials and tesserae for my work. The hunt is as much a part of the enjoyment of the process as creating the mosaic piece. I have a strong belief that every tessera has a place in a mosaic artwork. Using the mosaic style of Andamento, where the tesserae are cut and laid in rows to create a visual flow is a method I practice. Every tessera whether it is marble, travertine, slate, stone, semi- precious rock or mineral, or smalti is cut with either hammer and hardie or tile nippers to the exact size and shape for the position in which it is required. Smalti, found in most of my work has its origins in Italy. A specialized richly coloured glass which contains metal oxides is melted into a slab. This can be scored and cut to a specific size or into cubes or tessera for a mosaic piece. The filati is a one of these cubes melted and stretched into a spaghetti length size. These are cut and fill the spaces in some of my mosaics or my jewellery pieces. I use the natural earthy colours of tesserae in my work, combined with found objects like driftwood, beach glass, rusted pieces, countless types of rocks and minerals as well as opportunity shop castaways. These objects become as important as every piece of tesserae and on occasion become the focal point of the artwork. My artwork is rarely grouted, using the direct method, leaving a textured finish with varying heights in the work. In the last few years, I have accomplished through various workshops creating several, three dimensional mosaic works. The process evolving from a wire armature, crepe bandage and cement before adhering the tesserae. I have enjoyed success in Small Sculptures in Sculptures by the Bay, Dunsborough, in the Christian Fletcher Gallery in 2022 and 2023 with two of these mosaic sculptures. Mosaic's is challenging, frustrating, rewarding, but incredibly meditative. Hours can pass like minutes. I consider my work connects to nature and has energy and flow. Mostly I aim to want the viewer to lean in and look closer and wonder.