Jane Santos, Mosaic Artist
My mosaics are inspired by my surroundings and the wider environment where I live on the
Kapiti Coast. I started mosaicking when I was living in the UK after being inspired by the artists
working in the Mosaic Workshop in London. After many years of working part-time on my art
whilst pursuing a career in education, I took early retirement in 2002 to work full time on my art
and opened a Gallery at my home in Kapiti. Since then I have worked on various projects and
commissions.
I use porcelain, ceramic both glazed and unglazed and glass tiles which are hand cut using
wheeled cutters and then glued directly onto the base board. My tiles are sourced from the UK,
Europe, Australia and the USA.
I like to work in series with multiple panels of differing sizes, the themes of which I return to over
the years. These themes encompass the flora and fauna of New Zealand, the older houses and
buildings of Wellington and the diverse people who live in our country. Although these panels
are designed for indoor display I do also complete outdoor panels and hangers which are
worked by the indirect method and do not use wood.
Although I was taught the traditional techniques of mosaics, I have, through experience
developed my own way of working and cutting. I have developed a method of two layers, which
is particularly effective with the houses of Wellington series where I have created added depth
to the overall view.
A selection of the range of my work can be seen on my website: www.janesantosmosaics.com
Artwork
In Praise of Agapanthus
Jane Santos
Mixed Media Mosaic
600mm x 600mm
$3,000.00
This panel is a design based on the plant. I used traditional methods of cutting the tiles and working on a single layer with millefiori rods used as beads. Panel took approx. 40hrs to complete
Transforming Wellington-Brooklyn
Jane Santos
Mixed Media Mosaic
600mm x 600mm
$5,500.00
This is one of a series of older houses of Wellington which has been rehomed into native bush. The house is authentic but the surroundings are my artistic creation. This particular house once belonged to a famous New Zealander. It took 80 hours to complete on two levels. Each tile is hand cut and individually glued to the base board.
Victorian Splendour
Jane Santos
Mixed Media Mosaic
400mm x 400mm
$2,000.00
Another in a series featuring the older houses of Wellington. The house is authentic but the surroundings are my own artistic creations. The dog on the pavement is Jack and he gets into my work, if there is a pavement to run on. To date he has featured in over 40 of my panels. He died in 2014, but still appears as his shadow, a rescue dog immortalised in my art. This panel took 41 hours to complete on two levels. All tiles used are hand cut and glued individually onto the base board.
Vintage Terrace
Jane Santos
Mixed Media Mosaic
400mm x 400mm
$2,000.00
Panel is one of a series featuring the older houses in Wellington. The house is authentic but the surroundings are my artistic creation. The dog on the pavement is Jack, who also features in my work if there is a pavement to run on. Jack died in 2014, but is immortalised by his shadow in my house scenes. This panel took 40hours to complete on two levels.