Mosaic Artist Judy Holland, by Marcy Rosner

If you were as fortunate as I was to attend our June 2 MSOP general meeting at Tacony LAB Art Center, you met our presenter, Judy Holland.   Her creativity and use of materials in her mosaics intrigued me.  I had the pleasure of interviewing her and learn more about her educational background, careers, inspirations and passions.

Although Judy always had an interest in drawing and took art classes in high school, her further education was in the sciences. She earned a BS in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin and an MS in Anatomy from Johns Hopkins University. Judy began her career as an OT at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1990, where she worked in psychiatry and neurosurgery/neurology units, helping adults who had severe mental issues.

Judy had fallen in love with tiles and mosaics on trips to Mexico, Spain and Morocco. 

As therapists often use crafts with their challenged patients, she decided to introduce this art form in groups with goals of mindfulness, attention to task and group cooperation.

In her words,” We had many bins filled with tiny, unique mosaic tiles. Sorting through those bins provided patients with interesting sensory input - the colors, the smooth glaze, the cool temperature, the hard edges, and the great clicking sounds the tiles make when you scoop your hand through the bins, I loved to see the cooperation among patients when sorting for and finding colors for each other ("Jim is looking for greens") Most of our projects were trivets, ashtrays and wooden boxes with mosaic lids. (Of course, pre-cut tiles can only be used for safety reasons.) “The planning process required mindfulness, attention and long-term planning. The finished products were often a source of pride for patients and often given as gifts to family members. Until Covid, I was an OT Supervisor in the Pennsylvania State Psychiatric Hospital system where I continued to use mosaics as a therapeutic medium. Patients made and sold beautiful mosaic flower pots as part of our OT Greenhouse program. “

Judy’s life changed dramatically during Covid.   She switched careers so she could work from home.   Without having to commute, she had more free time and used it to make some of her own mosaic projects. As it was for her patients, she found it to be her own therapy during this difficult and isolating time.  Judy continues to work from home as a cancer research analyst, going into to her home studio as often as possible, frustrated that there never seems to be enough time.

Where does Judy get her inspiration?

She is “a long-time ‘thrifter” and lover of vintage and antique items, so using old plates as mosaic "tiles" just felt right to her. She is well known in the local second-hand shops, often getting a call when an interesting plate arrive. Flea markets and garage sales are other places she can find materials to upcycle.  Often the materials themselves, such as figurines, cups, and interesting substrate are her inspirations.   

She began with abstract designs.  Always having a fascination with faces, she a natural progression was portraits, she was able to use vintage patterns and textures to express the true essence of a person while also capturing their likeness. “I adore the way they reveal what is underneath, despite our best efforts to hide it, and the way that “underneath” is actual beauty. Breathing new life into plates or cups that were once a big part in someone’s life also inspires me”. 

 People viewing her Instagram posts contacted her and she began accepting commissions.  Judy creates each piece from a favorite photo and asks details about that person’s life. Along with her own upcycled vintage china and knick-knacks, she incorporates meaningful items the customer has given her. Although she was been asked to do children, she believes her style is rougher and lends itself more to adults. 

Some of her portraits are created for personal challenges.  For example, she wanted to see if she could get a likeness to Queen Elizabeth and she definitely did.  She hid her corgi dog in her jawline and used English porcelain.

When I inquired about the photo below, she told me it was just a character she created. She wanted to try teacups for those heavy lids. Her eyes came out so large she used the biggest pieces could for the rest of her.


She is continually working on her “Tea Time Series” Her first piece was a mini-mosaic for our Msop heart theme.   She needed something she could finish quickly as she was short on time but wanted to participate in the exchange.  She looked through her “stash” and found perfect pieces to fit together, including a tile heart and figurine.  

Although on first glance these look whimsical, most pieces contain a deeper social message.  “My Tea Time series is about Upcycling old ideas into new. Tea time etiquette is literally turned upside down when dainty, antique tea cups become bold skirts. Vintage figurines depicting demure girls & women in homemaker roles become people who speak their minds.” Teacups placed upside down show that women are not sitting quietly anymore as they once did at tea parties.

This was created to celebrate by Pride Month and is called “My Love”. It depicts two girls in love.  It will be shown for the first time at the Allentown Art in the Park in September. 

“Two Birds in Skirts” shows support of #wearwhatyouwant movement and to decrease gender clothing stereotypes. 


Judy was leery of using rude language such as “Maybe you should fuck off” and “Women don’t owe you shit” but to her surprise these seem to be the best sellers. Women seem to respond more than men, although husbands do occasionally purchase or custom order for their wives.  

  Judy has certainly expanded her audience from social media to in person gallery big sellers. She has shown work in galleries in Bethlehem, Nazareth, Allentown, Sweet Mabel’s Boutique in Narberth. She sold work in the Historic Bethlehem Holiday Auctions 2022 & 2023.  Her upcoming shows include Allenton Art in the Park on September 14, and MSOP annual member show at the Grundy Library October 5-Novemember 9

When I asked what she most enjoyed she answered “Turning something old and broken into something new, allowing something to be seen in a new way. “This explains her brand name BrokenUP Mosaics.  “I have always been about UPcycling - taking what is broken & making it beautiful…. Let’s celebrate reinventions, second chances and new lives. “

Instagram @brokenup0000

Robin Brownfield – From Activist to Artist By Marcy Rosner

Robin Brownfield, a member of MSOP, has found her niche. Mosaic art has become her vehicle to express her deep-rooted pleas for social justice to a large audience. through beauty and creativity.  During our interview I learned where she began, where she is today, what drives her to do what she does, and what she does with everything she creates.

Robin grew up in a bi-racial /multi-ethnic family.  They were the target of frequent bullying and harassment. She became well aware of the inequality and injustices many people face. Her activism started at age 13, when her mother encouraged her to participate in anti-war efforts and a walkathon for the people starving in Bangladesh. At age 16, with her parents’ consent, she dropped out of high school and quickly got her GED. She became part of the labor movement. She traveled around the country as an organizer for the United Farm Workers. Her political work afforded her many unforgettable experiences and introduced her to a variety of influential people that later shaped her mosaic themes.  As Robin told me, “Those experiences can’t be replaced with money”.  After five years she decided it was time to enroll in college.  While delving deeper into her interests, she earned both a B.A. and an M.A from Rutgers College in Labor Studies. Although she completed all the coursework for a Ph.D. in Sociology at Temple University, she never finished her dissertation, as during this time she gave birth to twins while already raising three other children.  She taught Urban and Women studies and Sociology at the college level for 30 years.

Robin was always artistic. Her father, a gifted illustrator, taught her to draw.  She primarily did charcoal sketches and oil, watercolor, and acrylic paintings.  Her teachers noticed her talent and encouraged her to join the art club and enter competitions. She began winning prizes at age 10 and by age 14 had two solo shows. She did a lot of artwork for the UFW, making posters and t-shirts which painted by hand. She was also taught how to make silkscreened picket signs and human billboards, many of which allowed her to be creative. She designed the leaflets and any announcements for events or actions being planned.  While working toward her MA, she made extra money on the side doing graphic art for union groups in New York City. As much as she loved art, she always thought it was something she would do on the side while she pursued a more stable career. 

Robin’s interest in mosaic started in 1985 on a trip to Moscow.  She was very 

impressed with the artwork she saw all over the city. There were not only elaborately painted designs everywhere, but there was mosaic artwork everywhere. She wanted to pursue mosaic art, possibly doing Russian style artwork.

Robin finally began making mosaics in 2006 and is primarily self-taught. 
Her first project was a rather large undertaking.  In need of a backsplash behind her kitchen sink, she decided to make it herself.  There was a lot of trial and error, but it still stands today. 

Robin has a signature style that is instantly recognizable.  I asked why she consistently uses small square tiles, usually made of glass.  She explained that she was inspired by many of the New York City mosaics she saw as a little girl. She often adds in clay pieces she has made herself, as well as recycled materials and other found objects.  

There are several recurring themes in Robin’s art. She often uses her mosaics to make political statements and elicit emotional reactions.   As written in one of her artist statements, “My art has changed over the years from being colorful representations of wildlife and people, to being thought-provoking representations of both reality and fantasy.  Many of my pieces are about the tolls of war, racism, confinement, abuse, slavery and exploitation, yet others are about joy, sharing, omission, and being “light-hearted.”  

INSIDE

AMERICA IS A GUN

Witness Remembrance

In 2020, Robin created a “Black Lives Matter” series. Included was a depiction of Breonna Taylor, whose death was instrumental in launching an international movement for justice of racial murders. A woman saw the post on Facebook and contacted Robin, asking her to mosaic a portrait she could gift to her friend, Breonna’s mother. This was Robin’s first commission and the one of which she is perhaps the proudest.

BLACK LIVES MATTER     

BREONNA TAYLOR

Although many of her mosaics have a component of political and social issues with deep inner meaning, Robin does create some pieces just for fun. Animals are often her subjects as she enjoys doing them and they sell quickly.

CATS

BIRD

                          GUITAR

Robin is a very prolific artist. What does she do with all her creations? During our interview, she mentioned many times that she is not in it for the money; she is in it for the enjoyment. That is not to say that she doesn’t appreciate recognition and sales, as we all do.

As soon I pulled up to Robin’s Collingswood house, I knew it was hers.  A mosaic garden walkway greeted me.  Inside the walls were covered with many unusual items. I particularly loved the old chair she found at a yard sale that she mosaicked back and front and reupholstered. 

 CHAIR FRONT

CHAIR BACK

Robin’s work is on view at a variety of venues.  She has exhibited in numerous juried shows, as well as group and solo shows.  In 2020, when galleries were closed due to the pandemic, Robin posted her works on social media and took the opportunity to participate in on-line shows.  She has been the recipient of many monetary awards for her submissions, especially her portraits.  She commented that often she wins for something she does not consider her best work; judging is very subjective. Currently her works hang in many galleries, including Powell Lane Arts and Art Plus in Collingswood. Most of her sales come from galleries.

Robin is a most generous woman who is very adamant about not profiting from another’s misfortune. Profits received for works depicting social injustice are donated to organizations that support the cause.  Her $400 prize won for her Black Live Matters series was donated to the Equal Justice Initiative. In lieu of a fee for her Breonna Taylor portrait, she asked the woman who commissioned her to donate whatever she would pay her to the Breonna Taylor Fund.  Proceeds from pieces hanging in the Palestinian American Community Center in Clifton, NJ. depicting children suffering the ravages of war will be donated to the relief effort. 

PRINCESS OF GAZA

Recently Robin was asked to supervise a community mosaic mural project at her neighborhood elementary school.  She refused payment, merely asking for supplies to be provided by the district. 

Thomas Sharp School Mural, Collingswood, NJ.

Robin is currently a full-time artist.  She states, “My artwork, and my later life choices were very profoundly influenced by both my parents and the world events I grew up with.”   She realized creating mosaics for public viewing was another way she could make a difference. She is fortunate that she is able to combine her talents, education, life experience, values, and compassion for others. When she speaks about her mosaics it is apparent that she enjoys the process and is proud of her work.

For more information visit:

https://www.robinbrownfieldmosaics.com/?fbclid=IwAR0ve7uNQJMqoR4FKFmXC7D4WSvSmX2SgthvnZlCrePQAUKXUrgvV5Ja2rk