Mosaics and Beaded Functional Art by Linda Fenster

Linda Fenster is the one and only mosaic artist at Ten Women Montana.  Her fantastic work is attractive, talked about, collected and desired by many who want unique and high quality art in and around their home.  It's clearly functional art that has a purpose, not to mention it's uniqueness and high quality construction. Those of her pieces that are displayed outside bring that special touch of creativeness to the owners property which let guests know that they take pride in their home.

Linda was born in Cape Town, South Africa, a vibrantly colorful place which could explain some of her playful personality.  Linda has been doing art since a very young age.  She mostly dabbled in painting and drawing but since arriving in California in 1977, she ventured into hand painted furniture, murals, creating art with school kids and working with abused kids.  She believes that art heals and is drawn to working with the children.

Ever since Linda encountered Gaudi's mosaics in Barcelona, she was driven to teach herself mosaics to include in her reportoire of skills.  Some of her most collectable pieces are her beaded functional phones, mirrors, frames and tables all collaged with beads, found objects and charms.

Linda's father was a manufacturing jeweler and diamond merchant originally from Berlin, Germany.  He was her biggest influence, admiring his eye for color, design and detail.

Linda's work has been in several galleries and has been bought by collectors and notable celebrities such as Diana Ross, Forrest Whitaker, Stacey Keach, Michael Richards, Lou Adler, Roseanne Barr, to name just a few.

Linda thinks of herself as a tinkerer, a collector, a devotee of the bead and plate smasher.  She loves to create art for all to enjoy.

A large, colorful mosaic vase to use indoors or out.

A mosaic wooden box to keep a multitude of treasures

One of my favorites, as I collect birds and would love to have this anywhere in my home

Duck, duck, whose got the duck!

A lovely hand painted heart plaque, mosaic mirror (that's me foolishly trying to take the photo)  and painted heart box....

Linda's famous beaded collaged functional phones.  What fun!

Linda's ever famous beaded Peace Signs for those Flower Power children from the 60-70's and peace loving folk nowadays

Linda's new creations attract a distinctive new audience.  I just love the romantic wall hanging mosaic delight where a small plant,  or, use your imagination, can be displayed in a halfed tea cup.  How unique!  I love it!

Don't underestimate the power of the animal...  Her mosaic dogs (top shelf) is sort after by so many.  It's hard to keep them stocked.  If interested, just ask if one is not available in her space.  Orders can be taken...

 

 

 Linda is truly an amazing artist and person.  She always brings humor, realness, and joy to everything she does and we are blessed to have her happy person as part of the Ten Women team of artists.

Screaming Woman Artworks

Ten Women Gallery embraces such a wonderfully diverse assortment of local female artists.  It's members display a high level of professional quality artistry and each of the 20+ talented women is proud to call our modest space home. It's part of what makes it all work.

The opportunity to have a space to show and sell our wares is, in itself, a unique experience.  I believe we all feel a tremendous sense of pride in what we have accomplished and feel gratitude for the experience.  We certainly are appreciative of our loyal followers and hope to gain a fresh recognition in our now, not so new, location on Montana Avenue.

Among our long standing members is Joann Libolt.  Joann has been selling her fascinating pieces created in clay for many years giving her the pleasure of a substantial following of new and repeat customers. She warrants special viewing and holds her position in the center of the gallery along with Glass artist, Susan Haskell.

A unique hand sculpted clay figure expressing the depth of tenderness of female energy

Here's what Joann has to say about herself and her art...

I have come to studio art in my mature years.  Graduating from college in the 1960's, I have worked in advertising, and helped raise some fantastic children.  I returned to school in my 50's and completed MA and MFA degrees after age 60.  Art, for me, is timeless.

Clay is my primary medium.  I often use mixed media to finish the pieces, but clay is the material I prefer as I work intuitively.  Sculptural work and utility ware are part of my art.  Often political issues become involved.

Joann shows strength in her expressive interpretation of feminine art

Much of the work is born from the emotions of a woman's life as she struggles to define and experience the depth of her life in a world that tends to define it for her.

Hand created, original imagery on Italian tile is another branch of my artwork.  The line drawings utilize a resist technique developed in ancient times called cuerda seca, which resists the surrounding glazes and under glazes as they are applied.  This creates a unique variation of Middle Eastern and Mexican tile work.  The glazes are layered and often fired 3 to 6 separate times to achieve the rich depth of color.

Among the few clay artists the Gallery embraces, Joann has a defined quality that is clearly and  uniquely her own.  Her new pieces are always a surprise and thought provoking.  A special blend of beauty and personal expression...a wonderful contribution to the flavor of Ten Women Gallery.