A Goddess Close-Up #1 : Aloha in Bits and Pieces

Aloha All,

For the next few blogs I’m going to introduce you to some fabulous Goddesses and some ideas for the Hawaiian life style. Not only are they some good friends who live here in Hawaii, but they know how to live out loud!

Melsena, better known as “Mel” to her close friends is a quiet artist who tends to shy away from touting her artistic ability. A few years ago Mel took up the art of making picassiette mosaics. (That’s pronounced pee-cassy-ette in case you were wondering.)

Basically, picassiette is the art of breaking up lovely things and gluing them back together in a random or structured pattern, then smearing grout between them. Once Mel has finished a project, the pieces are true masterpieces. If you’re lucky, she’ll gift you with one.

Details of Mel's mosaic work.

As you can see from this detailed close up, not only does she use plates and tiles and pieces of china, she incorporates glass beads, shells, small figurines, jewelery and whatever strikes her fancy.

In her pre-Goddess life before she moved to Hawaii, she was a beloved elementary school teacher in the Santa Cruz area. Now that she lives full time in Hawaii, walking the beach every morning, hosting pupu parties and fabulous dinners, working in her garden and cracking plates keeps her more than busy.

I tell everyone to watch out! If you stand still long enough she’ll glue ceramic pieces all over you and then grout you! Many of Mel’s latest creations involve mermaids…after a summer by the bay taking dips and watching the sunset she’s growing gills and fins.

Mermaid Mel with one of her creations.

 

Does she sell her mosaics? Not yet, but since she’s running out of room in her house, I think that with enough encouragement she just might be willing to let go of a precious piece or two. Does she take special orders? Not on your life, though believe me, folks have asked.

She always says that her art is organic and inspired, not “made to order.”

Here are just a few of Goddess Mel’s pieces:

Flat and Three Dimensional Objects

 

 

 

 

 

Garden Stepping Stone

Pots and Garden Spheres

 

 

 

 

 

And that’s not all….

A Peek into the Workshop

Materials sorted and ready.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Birdbath in the Garden

A big Mahalo to my neighbor, sister Goddess, and dear friend, Mel!

Aloha until next time when I’ll feature another Goddess and share some Hawaii Living and Style ideas. No matter where you live, you can live with aloha style.

The Tiki Goddess

P.S.  What’s your hobby, obsession, creative outlet?

 

 

 

 

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4 Responses to A Goddess Close-Up #1 : Aloha in Bits and Pieces

  1. Cindy says:

    I love Mel and her beautiful artwork. She mentored my work this summer. A true teacher…all from the heart.

    See you on the bay.
    Aloha with love,
    Cindy

  2. They are all so beautiful and Mel likes (loves) what she does. What a gift. Stella

  3. Halo says:

    What a cast of characters! 3 things recipe for slow cooker kalua pork (not the one in the Star advertiser), Alice’s chicken……..and WRITE MORE!!!!! I read all 3 in <3 days!
    Mahalo from my paradise: Roatan
    Halo