My Medium
I prefer to use many different mediums, such as stained-glass, smalti, polymer clay, acrylics, paint, pebbles, etc. I sometimes find working in a single medium restrictive to my artistic process. Each idea manifests in its own individual style. Incorporating recycled glass, repurposed windows or using sentimental items from clients is a passion of mine.
My Background
Collette Mann is a mixed media artist who creates using glass, polymer clay, repurposed jewelry, broken dishes, abandoned windows, beach glass and pretty much anything that she finds. Her interests are creating mosaics, polymer clay, herbs, the language of flowers, alternative medicine, yoga, hiking, religious history, the mysteriously strange, moss gardeners, other artists, music, books and antiques. She also loves exploring the healing properties of art.
When Collette isn’t making art, she works as a public health nurse and enjoys collaborating with her husband on her projects and spending time with their two dogs.
Her passions are humanitarian outreach programs, volunteering and teaching at various non-profit organizations. Private evens upon request.
My Inspiration
I am inspired by the old and mysterious Eastern European Icons that depict religious motifs. I like creating pieces that resemble ancient icons in a modern way, inclusive and open to interpretation… reflecting on my Catholic faith and family background, which often includes Judeo symbolism to honor my mother's Jewish heritage.
Most of my pieces use symbolic images to express a mystical idea that can become unique to each individual viewing the piece.
“Unity of Community.” is the recurring theme of my compositions
Mosaic is my preferred medium. I’m intrigued by the ancient technique of hand cutting each and every piece of glass and grouting the pieces to create a more cohesive structure. In addition to glass, I often repurpose jewelry, recycle glass windows, terracotta pots, mirror, sea glass, broken dishes, polymer clay, etc. Anything and Everything can be used as tesserae to construct a mosaic.
Whether you worship in a church, pray in a temple, kneel in a mosque or pay homage to the sacred groves all of us have more similarities than differences. We should embrace it.