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Lisa Scarbath

Craft, Multimedia, Public Art, Sculpture / Installation, Visual / Media

When I create art, I'm telling a story - breaking down an idea into tiny pieces and putting it back together from a new perspective. The materials express emotion through texture, color and movement. Composing the design, cutting the tesserae, constructing the work and problem solving along the way help me analyze my thoughts and feelings and gain perspective about any issue. My hope is that the viewer can feel and relate to that emotional journey in the final piece.

About the Artist

A Resident Artist at the Howard County Center for the Arts in Ellicott City, Lisa creates mosaic art, decor, furniture and steampunk crabs.  She also engages the community in public art projects and teaching workshops. Using a variety of materials including stained glass, broken dishes, found objects, slate, stone and smalti, Lisa's work tells a story piece by piece so that the viewer finds something new to see each time they look at her mosaics.

Lisa Scarbath website Pieceful Designs Mosaics Lisa Scarbath website Baker Artist Portfolios/Lisa Scarbath

Featured Work

Photos

Historic Ellicott City celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2022. The community was invited to share trinkets and material to be included in a work of art commemorating the milestone. Along with the items, the contributors were asked to share their Ellicott City "story" about why the town is special to them. The stories are published on the artist's website https://www.piecefuldesignsmosaics.com/blog More than 80 people and businesses contributed to the project and the items are incorporated into a 6-part mosaic series depicting iconic images from the historic town. Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic is currently on view at 8095 Main Street in Historic Ellicott City.
Stained glass and shells cover this male mannequin to show the power, beauty and depth of the ocean. This work won an Honorable Mention at the Beverly Bassford Juried Members Show at the Art League of Ocean City, July 2021 and was on display at the national exhibit, "Adorned" at the AnnMarie Sculpture Garden in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution, Feb-May 2022.
Hand-cut Italian smalti (chunks of glass) are embedded in thinset on a hand-made substrate to recreate an artistic wall-hanging of a World War I nurse's cape belonging to the granddaughter of a founding father of Ellicott City, MD. Made in response to a juried exhibit call to use historical artifacts as inspiration for art.
Abstract triptych mosaic made with slate, Italian and Mexican smalti and wooden beads. Each work is 6" x 6"
Custom mosaic pet portrait of a horse made with hand cut stained glass on glass
Steampunk and embellished blue crabs and other creatures are one of my specialties. Each one is a uniques work of art and themed conversation piece. This particular crab was voted one of Artists Sunday's Top 20 Gifts for 2020

Videos

  • Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic Artist Talk

    See more information about Pieces of History: EC250 Mosaic Artist Talk
    Mosaic Artist Lisa Scarbath invited the public in 2021 to send in material to be included in a mosaic that would celebrate Ellicott City, Maryland's 250th anniversary. More than 80 people and organizations contributed "stuff & stories" to share why Ellicott City is a special town.

    EC250 hosted an Artist Talk and Reception for mosaic artist Lisa Scarbath, Resident Artist at the Howard County Center for the Arts, Ellicott City, MD on May 19, 2022, to explain the inspiration and process for the 6-part mosaic and to share some of the stories represented in the artwork.
    Medium: Mixed Media Mosaic
    Year: 2022
    Details: 28 minutes

  • Harford250 Public Art Project Design Proposal

    See more information about Harford250 Public Art Project Design Proposal
    As one of two finalists for a public art project to celebrate Harford County's 250th Anniversary, I made this video to explain my design. The winning project will be chosen by public vote ending April 1st, 2023.
    Medium: Mixed Media Mosaic
    Year: 2023
    Details: 1 minute

Booking

Available for custom backsplashes, wall art and decor. I can incorporate your objects into a work of art. Prices start at $250 per square foot. Please email me at PiecefulDesignsMosaics@gmail.com

I work with various materials and can create work for interior or exterior use. Photographs or drawings may be needed for reference. Depending on the project, most work will be created in my studio and transported for installation on location.

My studio is in Ellicott City, MD, but I travel frequently to the Eastern Shore. I am open for travel within a few hours of the Baltimore/DC region.

Howard County Arts Council, Executive Director, Coleen West
Art League of Ocean City, Executive Director, Rina Thaler
EC250, Inc. Board Member, Victoria Goodman
Howard County Historical Society, President, Ellen Flynn Giles