We had the good fortune of connecting with David Jarvinen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea came for my business came out of another business. Owning a successful tile contracting business, we had opportunity to mix materials and create truly beautiful living spaces. But then my company was called upon to install a mural for a local clay artist. Needing to think out of the box, we were a perfect fit. Once working with them, I new I had to get this ceramic form into residential projects! I tried teaming up with the artists form the project, but their style didn’t quite fit into our product lines. These artists happen to teach classes too. So by donating tiles, i was able to go to class and learn mosaics, then help with class, then teach on my own. With this new knowledge I was able to combine mosaics with traditional tile installations. Over time, the mosaics and teaching became stronger and I pursued that more often. Now, we opened a brick and mortar store called MG Studios in Phoenix to help facilitate the learning. (www.mgstudiphx.coom)

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Practicing mosaics for over 20 years now, I have come to appreciatiate the diversity of materials and techniques in contemporary mosaics. Personally I like to combine materials to create texture and interest. There are many ways to learn traditional methods, but i like to break the rules and mix things up. When beg inning, it seemed instructors made things more difficult or mysterious , I wanted to simplify things not make complicated and in doing so, would create confidence in those who tried. Then, they would be successful and try again.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If visiting my area, i would take you to lunch in Cave Creek and do some shopping and explore natural areas. Then for fun & funky, we would visit the midtown area of Phoenix and check out the Art Museum and Roosevelt Row. A day trip to the Phoenix Botanical gardens shouldn’t be missed. If there is still time, a visit to Old tucson and the Sonoran desert Museum would be the final treat

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
i would not be even close to successful if not for trusted partners such as Phoenix Botanical Gardens, Southwest gardener (Phoenix), Tucson Botanical Gardens, Harlow Gardens(Tucson) Tohono Chul park ( Tucson), Mosaic arts Online (Santa barbara,CA) , Sherman Library & Gardens (Corona del mar, CA) plus many, many other individuals

Website: www.mosaicguys.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MosaicGuys/
Other: www.mgstudipphx.com www.mgstudiotucson.com

Image Credits
david Jarvinen

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