glad you asked

How did you get started?  My mosaic work began with my interest in gardening.  As I learned more about the plants in my yard and what would attract butterflies and birds, I gained a deeper appreciation for  what I had created.  I then saw my garden as a blank canvas  and wanted to add objects that would enhance its beauty, but that I found beautiful in and of themselves.  Thus my mosaic earth towers were created.  I create my sculptures with architectural landscaping and residential gardens in mind.  My sculptures can be placed  in courtyards, backyards, small garden settings, and even as art in the home.  

I get a kick out of this picture!  When I first started mosaic, this is what my hands looked like!  They still do on occasion.

Where do you get ideas for your work?  To be honest, I haven't been influenced by anything I've seen on the market.  I started out creating columns to hold gazing balls which I collect.  My preferred style is what I see as textured, rough, bold, organic.  Lots of nooks and crannies.  But I can also create a piece delicate and well thought out for interior uses. I am a self taught craftsperson and continue to learn from each piece I do.  

Is there good mosaic versus a poor product?  Yes!  There are many generic, poorly made mosaic on the market that will not last a year.  You can find these products all over.  My  work is hand crafted and no two items are alike.  I prefer tight small joints between my tiles, which means more weight, time, and tile per piece.  Grout spacing can have its place though.  Here are two examples of poor workmanship.  Example 1, Example 2

What the heck does "Lagniappe" mean?   Lagniappe is  a Southern Louisiana term.  In the Gulf states, it's  commonly used to denote a little bonus, something thrown in for good measure, an extra or unexpected gift given from a shopkeeper to a customer.  For me, I've used it to denote the extra care I give my work.

How do you say Lagniappe?  Try it is way.  Lon yop... Took me a while to say it correctly too!  But my godmother Aunt Lou who is now 96, helped me pick this name and learn to say it correctly.  It's a very personal word expressing my heritage and the attention I give to each piece of my work. 

Around 1963.. me, mom and Marc

It was years before I could put more than 4 inches of water in my bubble bath.  And I remember  from 20 years back, mom being cautious about using too many eggs due to the cost!  So I guess the thriftiness of mosaic is second nature to me.

Recycling:   I love the fact that recycling is part and parcel of the mosaic process.  My mom (Beverly),  a "thrifty Cajun woman" taught me early about waste.  

I love using old china, dishes, vases, tiles and treasures  found at garage sales and thrift stores that  would otherwise end up in the landfill.  I've heard that anything made by hand contains the spirit of the artist who created it. When you buy a piece of Lagniappe Mosaic art you're purchasing the best of myself at that time.  My eye never tires of a piece of artwork that just blows me away.  I would like to think that you would enjoy your chosen piece of art much in the same way.