About Me

Katy Galbraith in her Studio Gallery

Working with views over the river and hills, I am frequently inspired by this landscape which is reflected in my mosaics.  Flowers in abundance feature in the majority of my exhibition pieces, as well as in private commissions.  While many of my pieces are considered ‘decorative art’, I also enjoy making mosaics with a more practical purpose such as mirrors, table tops and garden items.

In producing my mosaics, I aim to be true to myself and my interest in recycling and sustainability by incorporating many recycled materials, including those representing me and my local area in Perthshire or pieces donated for use by friends and family, similar to a traditional patchwork concept. I also use wine bottle glass and broken car windows amongst other salvaged materials. 

Recycled materials stimulate many of my ideas in mosaic pieces that I have done, yet working with mosaics is still an evolving process for me, as I explore working with new materials and themes.  I never stay static for long!

A short film about me and my work:



or see it on Youtube here

I am a professional member of BAMM (British Association for Modern Mosaic)



British Association of Modern Mosaics


Testimonial:

Katy was commissioned by Crieff Succeeds to design and decorate a life sized highland cow, one of eleven featured in the art installation project " The Crieff Cowches"

From the very start Katy was fastidious in her approach to the design which had to reflect symbolically the tradition and environment of one of the oldest trading stores in the town, a chocolatier "Gordon & Durwards" 

Her decision to decorate the sculpture in ceramic mosaic was a bold and brave one, given the timescales involved, however her determination, resilience and talent won the day and the resultant sculpture is, as Keats once wrote," a thing of beauty" and one which will last and be admired for ever!

Her design is  aesthetically delightful whilst also being wonderfully charming and witty and I am delighted to have been able to watch her work and have greatly admired her creativity and enthusiasm.

Katy is a wonderful artist, a hard worker, and a delight to have in the studio. I wholeheartedly give her my highest recommendation. 

David McCann, Crieff Succeeds. Summer 2019

I have an Etsy shop, selling the smaller items and a selection of cards and notebooks, using images from my mosaics.  You can visit it here: www.etsy.com/shop/recyclememosaics

My Facebook page also includes inspirations, random comments, and some work in progress. Visit it here: www.facebook.com/recycle.me.mosaics


Exhibition History 

Goose Meadow and Twilight Flutter ~ two touch mosaics on permanent display in the ceramic collection ~ National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

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Spring 2022 ~ Constellations, BAMM exhibition, Chester Cathedral

Autumn 2021 ~ Look Back and Smile, BAMM exhibition, Hawick

Spring 2020 ~ Between the Lines, BAMM Exhibition (Galashiels, but then online)

Christmas 2019 ~ Focus on Craft ~ Callendar House, Falkirk

April 2019 ~ All That Matter, BAMM Exhibition ~ Redwing Gallery, Penance, Cornwall

October 2018 ~ Open Ended Exhibition ~  BAMM Exhibition, London School of Mosaic

Summer 2016, 2017, 2018 ~ Art in the Garden ~ New Hopetoun Gardens, near Edinburgh

September 2017 ~ BAMM Contemporary Mosaics Exhibition ~ Patriothall, Edinburgh

May 2017, 2014 ~ In the Garden With Friends 2017 ~ The Bield, by Tibbermore, Perth (curatorial role)

September 2016 ~ The Perthshire Open Studios Showcase Exhibitions, The Bield and Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Prior to 2015

Healing & Transformation Exhibition, The Barn Gallery, The Bield, by Perth

The Summer Show, Strathearn Art Gallery

BAMM Miniatures, Jewry by Guildhall, London

BAMM North Exhibition, RHS Harlow Carr Gardens in Harrogate

BAMM Scotland - Mosaic at the Mill, The Mill on the Fleet, Kirkcudbright

Solas Festival,  The Bield at Blackruthven, Mavis on display

Forteviot Village Hall, for the Royal visit by the Earl and Countess of Strathearn
The Journey of the Papar, The Bield at Blackruthven. Awarded best in show
BAMM Musica Exhibition St. Paul Bow Church in Bow, East London
Snowdrops by Starlight Cambo House, Fife
BAMM Say it With Flowers Exhibition, The View Tube, Stratford
Mosaic Mania, Rural Arts Centre, Thirsk, North Yorks
Ebb & Flow, Opus Mosaic Gallery, Exeter
Medicins Sans Frontiers Exhibition & Auction
BAMM Miniatures exhibition at Lichfield Cathedral
BAMM juried exhibition at Lichfield Cathedral
‘Forest’ exhibition, Opus Mosaic Gallery, Exeter
PVAF, Encounters with Time Exhibition, Perth
‘Art Nouveau’ exhibition. Opus Mosaic Gallery, Exeter
‘Heaven’s Above’ exhibition, Opus Mosaic Gallery, Exeter

I also exhibit annually in Perthshire Open Studios, and in The Perthshire Open Studios Showcase Exhibitions, The Bield

To get a slightly alternative view of what I am about, below are some questions (edited version) asked of me for a blog post by CraftyLou - to see the full blog, visit Lou's page here

Please give a brief bio of your business.  What is your background? How did you begin as an artist? 
I wish I had gone to art college after school, but followed a different path instead – following poorly judged (imo) parental advice.  Having dabbled in various medium as a hobby over the years, I discovered mosaic about 12 years ago, and was hooked.
I was taught by a friend, Jan Kilpatrick of Wild Tiles, who used to live in the area. My first project was a table top for the garden – as my husband and I at first couldn’t decide on what table to have, but agreed on mosaic – nothing like being ambitious! When Jan moved away from the area, we started to run mosaic classes using my B&B as the venue… so over the years, I have been able to tap into her expertise, and sometimes she in to mine.I took the plunge a about five years ago and started selling and being more pro-active in promoting myself. I have done a lot of soul searching over the last few years, and have realised that for me, being deemed ‘an artist’ is very important, and that I want to be represented in quality galleries or ‘craft’ outlets.

Explain your creative process. What journey do you take from idea to final product?
I am a passionate recycler, and love the use of mixed materials in creating a mosaic, and feel that it is an important part of my work to illustrate the reuse of materials.  It is often the receipt of a broken plate or cup that stimulates a new thought process and resulting mosaic; the colour or the texture of the item have a part to play. In terms of subjects, I love flowers and gardens, so many of my pieces are floral representations… though occasionally other ideas do pop into my head at times. I do have scrapbooks and mosaic books, but have recently started storing images on Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/katycrieff/) categorised by plants, birds, hearts etc). I don't really use sketchbooks, as i am not so good at drawing.  Mosaic is more about blocks of colour and rhythm of the pieces, more akin to appliqué than painting.

What or who are you most inspired by?

Klimt and Tiffany, again it is more to do with the blocks of colour & rhythms. For writing and outlook on life, Barbara Kingsolver – novelist and essayist. She writes about various social issues, and has a strong environmental commitment. Her work has been consistantly good, and inspires a change in our own lives. The message that you get is that you can live a good and fulfilled life, be considerate to your neighbours, have sound social and environmental ethics and still achieve what you want out of life.

And for music, Natasha Atlas! i can shimmy around my workshop any day.

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