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Jan's Creations
Clay Mosaic Art

My name is Janice Smith and I was born in Nashville, NC.  After I graduated high school, I went to college at Mars Hill and studied art.  Since then I have moved throughout the Carolinas.  My longest stay was in Myrtle Beach, SC for 15 years.  Recently, however, I have relocated to Highlands, NC.

                 
Throughout my trial and tribulations, I developed a unique form of art. It involves clay, glazes, mirrors, antique frames and antique furniture.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  Please visit my online picture gallery!

My first love was painting large canvases.  During my sophomore year of college, I took a ceramic class and fell in love.  My clay mosaics began July of 1980.  My style is my own creation.  I do not sketch my idea before I start drawing.  Instead, I roll out my clay with a rolling pin and start my drawing on the wet clay.  When the drawing is finished, the clay is set aside to dry.  As the clay dries, it breaks apart and turns itself into a mosaic.  Most mosaics are created of tiny squares to form a picture.  My process is almost the opposite.  How I roll the clay makes a difference but I don't have total control.

After the clay is hard and has finished cracking, I apply my glazes.  Then the pieces are placed in a kiln for firing.  It is always exciting to open the kiln and see what colors appear!  After I remove the pieces from the kiln, it is time to assemble them.  It is a lot like a big puzzle but the term "mosaic" sounds better to me!  From a distance my work looks like stained glass because of the brilliant colors.  However, I do have to remind people that my work is glazed clay.

                       
All of my work is "one of a kind."  I can't mass produce or produce in limited editions.  Not only is the clay work original but most of the frames and furniture that I use are "one of a kind."  This makes my work collectors pieces as well as great conversation pieces. 

My mosaics make me think of how God took the broken pieces of my life and placed them all together to form a master piece.  I knew of a God all of my life, but it wasn't until I was 32 that I really came to know the Lord.  Since then, I sign all of my work with HITL:  Happy In The Lord.

My work is constantly evolving and each piece is unique and VERY involved.  My work starts as an idea that I get in my head.  I materialize it with my hands.  However, I do create pieces upon request.  Either way, many hours go into each and every piece.  I do not sell a piece to anyone unless I am completely satisfied with it!

I hope that you enjoy my work either in your home or on this web site.  I love what I do.  I push myself to come up with better pieces and ideas.  Please visit me at my next show.  If you would like to comment on my work or have any questions you can send me an e-mail at JanHITL@aol.com.  New pieces are being created every day.  Hopefully one day you will own an original by