Category: Uncategorized

Tile art is democratic, meant for everyone to enjoy

Hand-crafted, painted ceramic tile is a form of art that has been with us for centuries. There are examples of this beautiful style of design that can be found all over the world. Although these works are typically a major source of pride for a community, some areas risk losing their stunning pieces of art… Read more »

Out of the darkness and into the light: Arts-in-Medicine programs

Nietzsche famously wrote, “Art is the proper task of life.” Is Nietzsche correct in this assessment? Is the sole purpose of life to create art? Maybe, maybe not… What we do know for sure is that art is certainly therapeutic, as many artists enjoy a cathartic release while working on a particular project. Many go… Read more »

Hop on the tile train: preserving cultural tradition through art

It is an exciting time to be involved with tile art, as the popularity of the craft is on the rise.  Many attribute this to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In the article “Carving out a place in history: tile carvers put traditional craftsmanship first”, Zhang Wen of Global Times writes, “Many people started… Read more »

The artist and the city: transforming urban decay into vibrant art

I am a railroad worm burrowed in a juicy Macintosh.  If you haven’t figured it out, I am currently on vacation in NYC! The city, it seems, is the capital of tile art.  It is everywhere, particularly in the subway.  Many of the art pieces are commissions courtesy of the MTA Arts for Transit program… Read more »

Sandy Hook, art therapy, and tile art

Kelly Roberts – famed child advocate and art therapist – writes, “Art therapy is about the creation and the discussion of the intent of the client.  It’s a different way of sharing.  No matter how healthy, verbal expression is the hardest thing to do.” Art, in other words, frees up the mind so that it… Read more »

A cuerda seca Christmas from Payne Creations

Welcome to my blog!  My name is Carolyn Payne and I create hand painted ceramic tile art and murals.  For the past 28 years, I’ve owned and operated Payne Creations in Kansas City, Missouri, otherwise known as the Paris of the Plains. Ceramic art has been around for thousands of years.  Ancient Chinese, Greek, and… Read more »