Meet the author: Aimee Harman

Aimee is a self-taught mosaicist who became obsessed with making mosaics in 1998.

In 1999 she approached her local council to offer to mosaic a roundabout for free in Peacehaven, where she lives (images can be seen on her website at www.mosaicmadromans.com), and as a result of the publicity, a steward from the train took the newspaper article to the project manager. Before she knew it, she had been offered the job of restoring all the mosaics by the late Marjorie Knowles on The British Pullman Venice-Simplon Orient Express (the company has since changed hands and is now known as Belmond). Aimee still has the contract to restore and maintain the twelve mosaic floors each year with her colleague, Alex Bennison.

Since this amazing opportunity she has received various commissions from the private and public sector, including designing and making eight mosaics for the sister train to the British-Pullman, The Belmond Northern Belle, based in Crewe. Three floors have been completed so far.

Aimee attends Art in Action every summer at Waterperry in Oxford, teaching 3-5-year-olds to mosaic. She also teaches in schools around the country, arriving dressed as Minerva, the Roman goddess of Wisdom, Art and War, to inspire creativity in children – thus they remember Roman history through a real mosaic they have made and will keep for their lifetime. Aimee also runs her own web-based company, from which she produces and sells mosaic kits for children to English Heritage.

If her new book has enticed you to try your hand at mosaics, you can also attend her one-day workshops, themed on the projects in the book, throughout this year. Contact her via www.mosaicmadromans.com

An Interview with Aimee

Where were you born?

San Raphael, California

What is your educational background?

North Devon College, Barnstaple

What first got you interested in craft?

My mother is an enamellist - she is amazing. I was always winning art competitions as a child.

How long have you been crafting?

Most of my life.

Where do you get your materials?

I use many different things in a mosaic, sourced mainly from The Mosaic Shop in Bath.

How/Where did Search Press discover you?

It was at Art in Action in Oxford – a huge collection of artists and crafts people demonstrating their skills, discussing their work and holding workshops and classes.

What were your first thoughts when asked to write a book?

Very happy thoughts – I thought: “Finally! I’ve been found!”

Has publishing a book changed your life in any way?

It’s too soon to say, but I have a gut feeling it will! I love the way my mosaics have been styled in the book, not like a typical ‘how to make’ book at all! Thank you, May Corfield.

Any tips for beginners?

Yes: let go of fears of the outcome, and just go with it.

What is your favourite craft tool?

My Leponitt tile nippers; they are the best for cutting mirror, glass, ceramic and tiles perfectly with no shards.

Have you travelled for your craft?

Yes, I taught on cruise liners – that’s a long way!

Where does your inspiration come from?

I love Klimt, and working in detail to keep the mosaic interesting and unique.