Artists & Galleries / Mosaics
UPFRONT ASSEMBLING THE LOCAL AESTHETIC
Masters of Mosaics
MIKE TAUBER AND JESSE BARTELS PIECE TOGETHER WORKS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME .
By STEFANEE FREEDMAN
For thousands of years , artists have been piecing together mosaic masterpieces . This stunning art form , which dates back to ancient times , produces beautifully unique works that stand the test of time — and can be seen all around Laguna Beach thanks to two prominent artists , Mike Tauber and Jesse Bartels , who have put their own signature styles on local mosaics .
Community Creations
Tauber with one of his painting commissions for a Laguna home
Artist Mike Tauber ’ s parrot mosaic , a project that involved community participation in Tustin
M ike Tauber launched his art career in Laguna Beach as an architectural illustrator in 1987 , a few years after graduating from San Diego State University in 1985 . What attracted Tauber to the area was its small town atmosphere paired with its pristine nature , rich history and artist community .
“ Orange County has filled in all around us , but [ our ] nature is largely preserved and our arts industry is rolling with the changes ,” Tauber says .
Illustration was his main concentration in college and , after he graduated , Tauber focused on painting as he felt that these two mediums required less infrastructure than ceramics . It wasn ’ t until much later — the mid-2000s — when he incorporated ceramic tiles into his artwork .
“ I ’ ve done acres of painted murals throughout my career , so transitioning to tile felt natural ,” Tauber notes . “… [ Ceramics are ] more durable for outdoor mural locations . I finally got my own kiln [ in ] about 2012 and tile is now 80 % of my work . I love the solidity , weight and permanence of tile and [ the fact ] that viewers can touch it . It becomes part of the built environment and sets a placemaking identity .”
Tauber draws inspiration from American regionalist painters such as
COURTESY OF MIKE TAUBER
34 LAGUNABEACHMAGAZINE . COM