An opportunity presented itself two weeks ago at the beautiful Nielson Park Creative Centre in Etobicoke, where they offered a one-day workshop titled “Mantra Mosaics using Tempered Glass.” NPCC is a community arts hub providing workshops, open studios, drop-ins, events, and exhibitions. My wife Ellen has taken collage courses there and has participated as a vendor in their Christmas craft sales. Ellen signed us up for this course and we were joined by just one other student in the studio.
Our instructor, Elena Martoglio, had been a professional ballet dancer and has now been working as an established mosaic artist for the past ten years. Her portfolio is copious enough for her to participate in this November’s One of A Kind Christmas craft sale.
After a quick introduction to materials and design options, Elena led us through a guided visualization exercise, in which we came to a peaceful state of mind. From there, the goal was to find a simple message or word to use as part of our mosaic piece.
Ellen chose the word “ENOUGH!” I confess that I have not asked my wife (of thirty-five years) what she’s had enough of. I suppose I’m just a little afraid of what her answer might be. I’ve learned as I age that discretion is the better part of valour and some questions are best left unasked.
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