Lisa Scarbath / Pieceful Designs Mosaics

Work samples

Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic, photo by Dan J Goodrich

"Pieces of History:EC250 Mosaic Project," 95" w x 63" h; A 6-part community-sourced mosaic depicting iconic images of Historic Ellicott City, including more than 80 trinkets and material contributed by the public, created to celebrate the town's 250th anniversary in 2022. The mosaic is currently on display at 8095 Main Street, Ellicott City.
"Bud" Stained glass mosaic portrait

"Bud" 11"x14" Stained Glass Mosaic portrait of a horse
The Journey

The Journey is an abstract, organic mosaic showing the multiple, parallel paths that life can take based on the choices we make to handle the obstacles we face. 12x12" Slate, stone, granite, Italian and Mexican smalti
Just for You Embellished Crab

Chosen by Artist Sunday as a TOP 20 gift for 2020, this iconic Maryland symbol is dressed up as a work of art.

About Lisa

Howard County

Lisa is thrilled to be a Resident Artist at the Howard County Center for the Arts in Ellicott City. She creates mosaic wall art, decor, furniture and custom stained glass pet portraits. Lisa has always been creative, but did not pursue art as a career until recently. After practicing law then starting a family, She worked as an undergraduate adjunct law professor for 10 years. In 2020, Lisa dedicated herself to her art business and is fortunate to have her work in 7 stores from Frederick to… more

Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic, a community-sourced project

History is more than dates and facts; it's about lives lived and memories made. In 2021, Lisa invited the public to send her trinkets and material to include in a mosaic that would commemorate Historic Ellicott City's 250th Anniversary. Along with the items, the contributers were asked to send a note explaining how the town was special to them. Lisa received more than 80 items and their accompanying stories. She created a 6-part wall hanging depicting iconic images of Historic Ellicott City and incorporating the memories of the community into the work. The community-sourced mosaic is composed of material: slate, stone, glass, ceramic, china, smalti, and found objects. Mirror is the unifying material in each of the 6 pieces and reflects the viewer as also being part of history. The overall work is approximately 95 'wide by 65" high and is currently on display in the window of 8095 Main Street, Ellicott City. The accompanying "stories" can be read here: https://www.piecefuldesignsmosaics.com/blog

Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic

Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic Project, with the artist, on display at the Howard County Center for the Arts
Patapsco River; part of Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic

Patapsco River portion of the Pieces of History:EC250 Mosaic Project composed of ceramic, rock, glass and found objects contributed by members of the community.
Main Street, part of Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic

Mosaic depiction of Main Street composed of slate, ceramic, rocks, glass and found objects contributed by members of the community.
Courthouse and Patapsco Female Institute

Mosaic images depicting the old Ellicott City Courthouse and the Patapsco Female Institue as one part of Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic. Composed of rock, marble, ceramic, glass, mirror and found object contributed by the community.
Colored School Restored and Cabin
Clock and B&O Railroad Museum
EC sign.jpg
Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic being dedicated on Main St Sept 7 2022
Artist Talk

EC 250, Inc, the non-profit organization hosting the year-long celebration of Ellicott City's 50th anniversary, hosted mosaic Artist Lisa Scarbath, for an Artist Talk on May 19, 2022, to discuss the creation of her community-sourced, 6 part mosaic celebrating the anniversary. The talk can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/k0661J6KsOc
Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic photo by Dan J Goodrich

6-part community-sourced mosaic celebrating Historic Ellicott City's 250th Anniversary

Smalti Mosaics

Smalti is opaque glass made in Italy and Mexico that is traditionally used in mosaics. Lisa hand cuts each piece using a hammer and hardie and places it in a bed of thin set mortar. The andamento (directional flow) of the pieces give it movement.

Kate's Cape

In response to a Call for Artists by the EC250 organization, Howard County Historical Society and the Howard County Arts Council, Lisa used a World War I nurse's cape as inspiration for creating this durable interpretation. She handmade the substrate using mosaic mesh and thinset and covered it in hand-cut Italian smalti. 19"x14"x5"
Kate's Cape detail

detail of the hand-cut Italian smalti. Lisa used traditional mosaic tools, a hammer and hardie, to hand-cut each piece.
Kokomo

Italian straw hat covered in hand-cut pieces of Mexican glass called smalti. Hanging hardware attached 12"wide x 14" long x 5" deep
Kokomo detail
Blindness

"Blindness" 10'x10" mosaic made with marble and smalti inspired by the book of the same name by Jose Saramago
Blindness detail

detail of "Blindness" 10"x10" marble and smalti mosaic inspired by the book of the same name by Jose Saramago

Stained Glass Mosaics

Using stained glass to create a realistic picture is challenging because colors cannot be blended as in a painting. Chosing the right color, texture and transparency is as important as cutting the right shapes and sizes of the pieces. The spaces in between give the work its depth and movement. These stained glass pieces vary in size from large vintage wooden windows to 8"x10" or smaller for the individual flowers.

Backsplash

Custom stained glass backsplash depicting a sunrise over the ocean. Each piece was hand cut and adhered to mesh then installed as panels on location. 11' x 24-30" high
Body of Water

3D life sized mannequin covered with hand cut pieces of stained glass and shells; 38 x 16 x 12
Beach Body

3D life-sized mannequin covered with hand-cut stained glass and shells; 36 x 15 x 10"
After the Sunset
Sunflowers - no backlighting
Single Sunflower backlit
Whisked Away II

custom commission 11x 14"
Fire Flower.jpg

Bas relief flower made from stained glass
Daisy close up

bas relief flower mosaic created using stained glass

Public Art projects and One of a Kind Mosaics

This collection depicts one-of -a-kind mosaics. Some are on unique and handmade substrates and others are community projects that the artist lead and finished.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sept 2022

Memory mosaic commission for the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in Columbia, Md for their 50th anniversary. The mosaic includes found objects contributed by the members to commemorate the anniversary. 12x12" glass, ceramic, found objects
OC Art Logo

Logo of the Art League of Ocean City. This began as a community project so that the members and supporters of the Art League could contribute work that commemorates the 60th anniversary of the league. Lead and finished by the artist. 24" x 36"
ACS mosaic

Community art project at the Association of Community Services in Howard County 24"x 40" made with glass tiles
Amphritrite
Good Vibrations

Abstract mosaic made with glass tiles and shells on a handmade undulating substrate; 16 x 8"
Maryland Flag Mosaic
Who Am I?

12"x12" mosaic with glass, ceramic, and found objects
A Walk on the Beach with Flip Flops

18 x 24" wall hanging mosaic made with glass, shells, sand and found objects in response to a call for assemblage art
Beach Finds

8x10" found object mosaic; this piece was created from a challenge to use items from one walk. The Italian smalti in the center is a substitute for the seaweed that was originally found and used in the piece

Slate and Stone Mosaics

Working with slate is so satisfying. Lisa love's getting her hands dirty cutting slate tiles into rods with a wet saw. Each rod can then be shaped or splintered to create different shapes. These organic pieces can easily depict the Earth or create abstract pieces adorned with colorful glass bits or other organic material such as marble and shale.

Obstacles

Mosaic made from slate, shale, red dog, granite and vitreous glass. 8 x 10"
The Climb

Mosaic created with slate, mirror and found objects depicting the challenges unique to a woman's life; 10 x 10"
The Climb closeup
Seasons
A River Runs Through triptych

Contemporary mosaic created from slate pieces and rods, Italian and Mexican smalti and wooden beads; 3 pieces each is 6' x 6"
Choices close up

Mosaic created with slate, rock and marble; 10 x 10"
The Journey

12 x 12; slate, smalti, rocks
Calvert Cliffs Series #2

10"x10" mosaic made with sandstone, terra cotta and mirror
Slate commission for Denise and Cheryl

Series of slate tiles commissioned for a fireplace surround. 4 4"x4" tiles and 2 4x6" tiles made with slate and Italian and Mexican smalti

Mosaic Pet Portraits

Inspired by the passing of my own furry family member, Lisa tries to capture the beauty of a beloved pet's personality in stained glass mosaic portraits. Her hope is that these custom commission pieces bring joy and comfort to their owners.

Bud comparison

Stained glass mosaic pet portrait; 11"x14"
Mollie 2022 Dec

Stained glass mosaic pet portrait 8"x10"
Finn
Harlee
Chilli

Stained glass on glass mosaic pet portrait; hand cut pieces 8 x 10"
Pepper

Stained glass on glass; hand cut pieces; 8 x 10"
Manny
Sheamus
Willard
Cookie side by side

Hand cut stained glass on glass mosaic pet portrait; 8 x 10"

Steampunk 3D

Chosen by Artists Sunday as one of the Top 20 Gift Ideas for 2020! These fun and funky 3D mosaic sculptures are dressed with steampunk watch parts, beads, costume jewelry and found objects.

Just for You

The iconic blue crab gets a make over with my steampunk and embellished designs. This piece was part of the Art League of Ocean City's fundraising cookbook publication, Fall 2020
Crab 123 Not All Those Who Wander.jpg
Horseshoe Crab #34 Follow Your Heart
Starfish #54
Crab 158 Love and Beloved
T #56 side view
Steampunk Octopus
Crab 149 Colorful Heart
Stingray 56
Steampunk sea turtle

Pique Assiette Mosaics

Pique assiette or broken dish mosaics give new life to cast-off items. Finding just the right design, color, pattern or texture in various dishes is a challenge that creates beautiful artwork from something that would otherwise be trash.

Rolling in the Deep.jpg

16.5" high by 36" wide; mosaic made with broken dishes and mirror
La Bailarina

Spanish style dancer depicted with china and ceramic dishes, mirror and found objects. 11 x 14" This piece won 3rd place in the Art League of Ocean City's Nov 2020 exhibit "All Dressed Up"
Give a heART

12 x 12" mosaic created with broken dishes and vitreous glass tile using a design created by the Art League of Ocean City during the first month of statewide shut downs during the global pandemic caused by Covid-19. The ALOC wanted to reassure the community that we are all in this together. April, 2020
You Make My Heart Sing

Mosaic made with broken dishes and found objects depicting a red heart with a background of black and white; 12 x 12"
Landscape
Let It Roll

12 x 12" mosaic wave created with broken dishes and mirror
Tea For Two

Found Object Wall Art Bouquets

Flowers are some of my favorite subjects. Their vivid colors breathe happiness into our everyday lives. These mosaics capture the vibrancy of flowers with everlasting life.

A Bowl Full of Flowers
Tea Party Bouquet

Mosaic assemblage created with ceramic and glass tile, found objects
Fill Your Cup
Little Vase of Flowers

This piece won Honorable Mention in The Beacon Newspapers competition in June 2020. Glass tile, ceramic, found objects 8x8"
Mixed Bouquet close up
A Posy for Your Thoughts

6"x 6" glass tile and found objects
Zipity Do Dah
A Feather in Your Cap
Busting with Joy side view.JPG

side view of a mosaic and found object wall hanging; 11x14"
Through the Years.JPG

Mosaic Furniture

Functional yet fun, these cast-off pieces have been given new life through mosaics made with tile, broken dishes and mirror.

Swirl Coffee Table

Used coffee table given new life with a mosaic top created with glass tiles and mirror in a swirly wave pattern
Black and White Daisy Table
Blue Flower Table
Blue Flower Table detail
Flip Flop Table
Flip Flop Table top detail
Swirl Tables