Mosaic Workshop with Lindsey Kennedy

Trying something different with a brilliant local artist

A few weeks back, I offered to take some photos for English Bridge Studios. Helping them build up an image bank while also hopefully improving my own photography skills. Win win, really. Fast forward to the first opportunity, and it happened to be a mosaic workshop. And not just any workshop. It was led by the brilliant Lindsey Kennedy, who I’d met a little while back at one of the Pot Luck Fridays over at Swan Hill Studios.

I didn’t actually need to take part. I was mostly there to get a few quick snaps, maybe hover around quietly and capture the atmosphere. But I couldn’t pass up the chance to get involved. A whole day trying something new and creative? YES!

Getting Stuck In

Walking into the hall, I was greeted by a friendly face and tables filled with every colour of glass imaginable. My dopamine was through the roof. Doing something like this, hands-on, screen-free, and new, will always win over sitting behind a laptop.

After a cup of tea and a chat with the others, Lindsey began the demo, walking us through what we could expect to create. I’d assumed it would be a simple coaster sort of deal, but we actually had a decent selection of shapes and sizes to choose from. All we had to bring was our imagination.

I hadn’t done any research. No Pinterest boards, no sketching. I went in with zero plans and no idea what I’d end up making. The premise was beautifully simple. Choose a backing board, pick your glass, arrange, glue down, grout. That’s it.

Finding Focus

I’ll be the first to admit I’m addicted to my phone. Working, scrolling, checking notifications. Constant distractions all around me. And this ADHD brain loves to go off-track whenever it feels like it. But I tell you, I was completely locked in on this. For the first time in a while, I couldn’t care less about anything other than the fixation to finish this mosaic. It was freeing. A proper break from the usual noise. It might sound dramatic, but it was meditative.

All I knew is that I love pinks, blues, and flowers, so that’s what I went with. No sketching or proper planning, just cutting and sticking. Lindsey was there along the way, offering advice and her expertise. This wasn’t like school where your art teacher would take over your work, fix it, and leave you completely demoralised. You felt supported, but still in charge.

The Final Piece

I was making this mosaic for my mum. I used turquoise for the border, which is her favourite colour, and she’s not as harsh a critic as I am to myself, so I knew it didn’t have to be perfect to be loved.

There were a few niggles here and there. Some protruding glass beads that didn’t want to stay put. But overall I was pretty chuffed with the outcome. For a first try, I’d say I was happy.

Why It Mattered

My brain craves dopamine, and usually it doesn’t matter where it comes from. More often than not, it’s from the wrong places like spending money or overeating. It might seem off topic to mention that, but it often leaves me feeling unsure about what actually brings me joy. I’m a people pleaser too, which is pretty common with a neurospicy brain, and that means I sometimes second guess if I’ve genuinely enjoyed something or if I just enjoyed making someone else happy.

But there was no second guessing this time. I loved it. I really couldn’t recommend the workshop enough. Even if you wouldn’t usually sign up for something like this, just give it a go. Worst case? You walk away with an abstract piece of art. Best case? You discover something new and actually lose yourself in it for a while. Which is exactly what I needed.