Using Lettering in Mosaic: A Talk for the Mosaic Artists Association of Ireland
It was such an honour to be invited by the Mosaic Artists Association of Ireland to give a talk on Lettering in Mosaic as part of August Craft Month. The event, supported by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, took place on 30th of August 2025 at the charming Greville Arms Hotel, where I had the pleasure of meeting so many lovely members of the mosaic community. I have to admit, I was pretty nervous about speaking, it was my first time talking about my mosaic work.
I'm also grateful to Anne Byrne, who presented before me her fascinating presentation titled “Hidden in Plain Sight: The Mullingar Mosaics and the Russian Artist Who Made Them.” Anne explored the mosaics by Boris Anrep, from around 1954, when Anrep was commissioned to create custom mosaics of St Anne and St Patrick in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar.
We all met in the cathedral first and got a chance to take some photos and soak up the incredible mosaic works by Boris Anrep, the Earley family and Oppenheimer Ltd. See some photos below.
My Talk: Lettering in Mosaic
In my presentation, I shared insights into my journey from painting letters to crafting them in mosaic and how the core rules of lettering remain constant across all mediums.
Transitioning from paint to tile: Painting letters gave me a foundation in form, and applying those same principles in mosaic.
Consistency is key: Maintaining consistent angle, height, and spacing is essential to achieve legible and harmonious mosaic lettering.
Andamento, mosaic’s “brushstroke”: I likened andamento to brushstrokes in painting: it’s the directional flow created by tile placement that defines shapes and conveys movement or mood.
Imperfectly human: I emphasised how hand-lettered mosaics often feature small irregularities, these imperfections make the work more expressive, alive, and human-made.
Tools of the trade: I showcased the tiles I prefer and my favourite tile nippers.
Identity and permanence: What I love most about mosaics is the sense of identity they give a place. A shop or home with a mosaic at the entrance makes such a strong first impression. And the best part? They last. Unlike street art or murals that eventually fade or get painted over, entrance mosaics are built to stay and can be admired for generations to come.
Reflections
It was my first time meeting the members of the MAAI and being surrounded by other mosaic artists was really inspiring. A big thank you to the chair Alison MacCormaic for inviting me to talk and for Laura O’Hagan for co-ordinating and hosting the event. We look forward to the next MAAI event.
