The Process
Leah Kilpatrick Rigg
While finishing up my Masters, it was at this time that I was introduced to the art of mosaics whilst pursuing an interest in art therapy. I'd always loved art and drawing and painting but it was traveling to both Barcelona and Bangkok where I experienced first hand the visceral impact mosaics had on me. I was hooked. My first venture into the world of actually making a mosaic began with some rejected bathroom tiles and a few broken plates. That first “project” led to bathroom panels, kitchen back-splashes and mosaic wall-hangings.
I expanded my mosaic work into producing and installing large-scale architectural mosaics, and became president of my own corporation and a licensed tile contractor. The hobby turned into a passion which turned into a 25+ year career. I have produced and installed over 8,000 SF of mosaic murals since that first project.
- Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii
- BA in History and Art History from UCLA
- Masters in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University
While finishing up my Masters, it was at this time that I was introduced to the art of mosaics whilst pursuing an interest in art therapy. I'd always loved art and drawing and painting but it was traveling to both Barcelona and Bangkok where I experienced first hand the visceral impact mosaics had on me. I was hooked. My first venture into the world of actually making a mosaic began with some rejected bathroom tiles and a few broken plates. That first “project” led to bathroom panels, kitchen back-splashes and mosaic wall-hangings.
I expanded my mosaic work into producing and installing large-scale architectural mosaics, and became president of my own corporation and a licensed tile contractor. The hobby turned into a passion which turned into a 25+ year career. I have produced and installed over 8,000 SF of mosaic murals since that first project.
Influences
- An appreciation of different eclectic historical periods of art and color palettes has always played a part in my personal style.
- Hawaii is a major influence as I personally, and through commissions, respond to local flora and fauna, place, and cultural concepts, such as "ahupua’a." There is nothing better than this island home for pure joy in the surrounding colors and species and land.
