Tactile Art

The patented method that I use to make these tiles gives them a subtle bas-relief carved effect where the tiles have a "high" surface that is about 1/16" above the "low" surface. This pattern gives the artwork a tactile, touchable nature that compliments the visual image and enhances our connection with the artwork.

In the gallery where my murals are on display (Kanon in Denver), viewers are encouraged to touch the tiles. Everyone smiles as the feel the surface variation that corresponds to the artistic pattern and the smooth surface of the glaze.

When I think of how much of our lives and art are becoming more virtual and how our resulting isolation is uncomfortable, I hope that the viewer touches the tiles and feels their "real" texture and even the colors. 

Since the clay tiles are made of very durable porcelain/stoneware clay, fired to high temperatures, they are impervious to fingerprints and damage that would occur if one were to touch other wall art like watercolor paintings, pencil sketches or oil paintings. These tiles could be the most archival of art materials except natural stone. Any cleaning needed can be done with soap, water and a sponge. Or they can be cleaned in a dishwasher.

The process of making these tiles is a very physical process from design to tile making and then coloring, requiring that I handle and modify each tile at least 80 times from start to finish. This is a distinctly different process from all other art forms and especially from Artificial Intelligence - generated images. I feel connected to each tile and tile mural set as I make it. I hope that patrons who purchase my tiles feel a connection to the color, pattern, images and my personal efforts that go into each unique one. This is part of why I call them "Connectiles"