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
