Sue Riley

Mosaic Artist

From an early age, I was always attracted to colour, pattern and tactile things.  I have been working in stained glass, traditional rug hooking and embroidery for years.

I hate throwing away stuff.  What is a crack or a chip in a cup or a plate, if it is still usable?  If it is broken, why not turn it into something else – give it a new life?

Stained glass mosaic stepping-stones were my first attempt at mosaics, but I was soon collecting antique china, figurines, glass beads, smalti, buttons – anything with colour and pattern – and applying them to clay pots, concrete garden accessories, walls, fences, picture frames and furniture.

Over the years, I have experimented with making my own, coloured grouts; learned how to make fused glassed beads; and taken pottery classes to incorporate into my work.  I have taught mosaic classes; participated in many fine craft shows; and am the co-founder of two of them (Artisan Studio Tour and Arts on the Credit).

What started off as a curiosity, turned into a small business.  My mosaics have found homes across Canada, the U.S, Europe, Dubai, India, Hong Kong and Australia.

25 years ago, I finally found the medium in which to incorporate all of the things that I love and I’ve been having fun with mosaics ever since.