Nancy Keating

Joy, fun, happiness, passion, love. When Nancy Keating talks about her mosaic work, the story typically evokes all of those emotions. Her happiness certainly shines through — not because she’s telling the story, but because she’s living it.

A mosaic artist for 15 years, Nancy began working in mixed media mosaic with a focus on garden art, using mainly ceramic and found objects. Indiana has a long history in glass, and over time Nancy’s “mosaic direction” shifted to include original fine art glass mosaic.

Similar to the work of composing a stained glass window, Nancy enjoys the process of seeing all the pieces and parts, the colors and textures, the shapes and movement in her mind, then bringing this mosaic of ideas together as art — something others find beautiful and enjoyable.

“There are no hard and fast rules in this medium,” she says. “I am free to play with my art, to imagine and to create anything. My hope is for people to be drawn to the colors, the textures, the reflections of light and feel happy, too.

“I’m so fortunate that my ‘work’ is fun!” she adds. “One of my goals is for my mosaics to express the fun I have in creating them. I still love to repurpose and recycle, creating original mosaic art with discarded vintage objects.”

She does have something of a following for her work in everyday objects — toasters, coffee percolators and magnum wine bottles — newly clad in fine style. Without question, she thinks broadly.

Nancy’s contemporary style is recognizable for its festive use of vibrant colors, reflective textures and an occasional touch of whimsy. A lifelong Hoosier and Indiana University graduate, she works in her Carmel studio and has created countless mosaic pieces, including public art works and architectural residential installations.