The mosaic artist

Elizabeth Smith is a mosaic artist, originally from Manchester, (pictured standing) who teaches people how to create their own mosaic pieces. She’s been doing this for eight years and her background is in art.

DH: What brought you down to the South of France?

Elizabeth: I fancied a year at living somewhere else to be honest and then just fell in love with the place and made some really great friends so never went back. I met my husband down here too.

DH: What’s the best thing about living in France?

Elizabeth: I’ve been in Roquefort for four years (before that I was in Biot), it’s a cliché but I love the outdoor living, the climate, being able to eat outside, simple things which change the way you live your life.

DH: You have a beautiful elegant house, was it like this when you moved in?

Elizabeth: Err no. Working on it has been quite an experience – fun and really hard work. And having no heating for the first year was a bit of a nightmare! There is still quite a lot of work left to finish but we can see the end in sight at last.

DH: So when you’re not teaching or renovating, and you’re out for an evening, what’s your favourite food?

Elizabeth: I love Asian food and Chinese in particular.

DH: And what’s your favourite tipple?

Elizabeth: I love French wine. My absoloute favorite for a special occacsion would be a Domaine Ott, Blanc de Blancs.

 

DH: I’m thinking as an artist you’re bound to have a favourite object/gadget or thing?

Elizabeth: My hand sander! It quite literally saves hours and I don’t think I could live without it!

DH: What’s the best thing one of your students has made by themselves?

Elizabeth: It's hard to choose one thing as there have been some stunning pieces, but I have one lady called Anne Edwards who has been coming to classes for a few years now and has reached a very high standard. She recentley created an amazing splash back for her kitchen, based on a design from a piece of Moustier poterie.

DH: What in your opinion does RLP lack?

Elizabeth: A proper play park for small children, where they can play and mums can meet.

DH: How long did it take you to speak French?

Elizabeth: Still Learning!

DH: Do you have a favourite day out?

Elizabeth: I love the fact that you have a choice of the mountains / countryside or coast to choose from and the fact that RLP is so central. A favorite day out would probably be lunch at The Keller Plage on the Cap, then a walk around Gordon in the afternoon.

DH: If people want to contact you about classes how do they go about it? And also are there any criteria for joining?

Elizabeth: No absolutely not. You don’t even have to be able to draw; you just need to have an interest. I guide people of all levels (from total beginner upwards) through the various stages and students get to make their own pieces from something functional like a mirror for their home to the own individual piece of artwork.

I’m currently running two group classes a week, one on Tuesday mornings and one on Thursday afternoons. The groups are small with a maximum of four in the studio at any one time.

To find out more visit http://www.elizabethsmithmosaics.com/ or call 06 18 16 53 12 or 04 93 42 84 50.