Home Events Process 12" Tiles
Contact FAQ   6" Tiles
Review Shopping Cart About the Artist Tile Art Multiples
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 
HOW IS THE ART PRODUCED?

See Process and Materials

HOW MANY OF EACH IMAGE DO YOU PRODUCE?

While I often have one-of-a-kind pieces at my studio (and for many years everything I did was one of a kind) the images on this site are part of small hand-painted limited edition series. Multiple-tile paintings are in limited edition series of five, ten or twenty; twelve inch tile paintings are in series of twenty or fifty; and six inch tile paintings in series of fifty.

HOW DO YOU PRODUCE THE HAND-PAINTED LIMITED EDITIONS?

There is no printing or mechanical process involved in creating the editions. To reproduce the tile paintings, I make a line drawing template from a photograph of the fired tile, and create a color scheme and other notes as necessary. My partner, Clive, and I hand-trace the designs onto tiles and hand-glaze them. I check all editions carefully before firing to ensure that I am satisfied with every detail.

IF I ORDER AN EDITION, HOW SIMILAR WILL IT BE TO THE IMAGE ON THE WEBSITE?

We have a high degree of consistency in our glazing and firing and editions are usually not distinguishable from each other at a glance, but minor variations are to be expected in the color, tone and texture of some glazes. This is one of the exciting aspects of the medium; the fire lends its touch. We cannot guarantee that editions will be free of very minor “imperfections” in glazing (such as can be seen in many images on this site) but will take the utmost care to assure that ordered editions meet our own high standards. Colors may differ between computer monitors. Both Clive and I very much want you to be happy with your artwork and we only ship work that we are completely satisfied with. See below for our return policy.

HOW DO I KNOW HOW MANY EDITIONS ARE LEFT OF AN ARTWORK?

The size of the edition and the edition number of the artwork are printed on the back of the art. If you would like this information prior to ordering a piece, please contact us.

HOW DO PEOPLE DISPLAY JUSTINE'S TILE ART?

My artwork on tile can be hung indoors or out, displayed on table tops, shelves, using plate holders, or in many other creative ways. It can also be permanently installed in indoor and outdoor environments. Tiles are standard size -approx. 6"x6" and 1/4" thick and approx. 12”x12” and 5/16” thick. They are easily integrated with field tile or stone. Order your tiles without wooden backing or frames if you intend to install them. If you wish to hang your artwork, we will securely adhere your tile(s) onto a wooden backing complete with all hanging hardware. If you choose to order your tile framed, we will mount it securely into a ready-to-hang wooden frame in your choice of oak, walnut or ebony finish. We do not supply frames for the multiple-tile artworks. For more information on framing and hanging please click on any artwork thumbnail and click on the link “order this artwork”.

CAN I USE THE SINGLE TILE ARTWORKS AS TRIVETS?

If you want to use single tiles as trivets, order them a without any backing and glue felt “feet” to the back of the tile, or order them mounted on the wooden backings we provide free of charge.

CAN THE ART BE FRAMED?

We provide a choice of three colors of wooden frames for the single tiles only. Many people have successfully framed their single or multiple-tile art themselves or at frame shops.

HOW DO I PREVIEW AN ARTWORK I AM CONSIDERING IN A FRAME?

Frames are currently available from us only for six and twelve inch single tile artworks. . For more information on framing and hanging, please click on any artwork thumbnail and click on the link “order this artwork”.

HOW DO I SAFELY HANG A TILE PAINTING?

Order your art ready to hang either mounted on a wooden backing, complete with all hanging hardware, or glued into a wooden frame. Single tiles are light enough to be hung on a nail in most walls, though in earthquake prone regions, we recommend using hangers designed to keep the tile from bouncing off the wall. These hangers are available at hardware stores. Multiple tile pieces weigh about 5 lbs per square foot when mounted on the wooden backings we provide them with. Wide pieces are supplied with two hanging points for weight distribution. Images of the backs of pieces you are considering can be previewed on line (to do so, click on the thumbnail of the image and click on “order this artwork”, then click to see tile back). Heavy artworks should be hung on wall studs or by using solid wall anchors. For advice on unusual hanging situations, please contact us or consult a contractor.

HOW AND WHERE CAN TILES BE INSTALLED PERMANENTLY?

Orde r your tiles without wooden backing or frames if you intend to install them (you will be offered this option when you click “order this artwork”). Tiles are standard sizes and can easily be integrated with field tile or stone. All tile paintings are suitable for indoor or outdoor installation. Colors will not fade with exposure to the elements. A few of the glaze colors may form tiny surface cracks (crazing) in outdoor environments. A very few glazes are also subject to the leaching of salts when exposed to the elements. If this were to occur the salts can be wiped off the surface of the art periodically. The tiles are suitable for above water-line installation in pools.

I LIKE THE PIECE, BUT THE DIMENSIONS ARE WRONG FOR MY SPACE-WHAT CAN I DO?

Any 6” tile can be produced as a 12” tile and most images can be reproduced in a larger (but not smaller) format, including recreating single six or twelve inch artworks as multiple-tile artworks, as long as the dimensions increase in increments of 6”or 12”. If you need a piece of a different shape than it currently is, it may be possible for us to paint a plain tile border on the piece to accommodate your needs. Contact us for more information if you are interested in customizing dimensions.

DO YOU CUSTOMIZE COLOR OR CONTENT? WILL YOU CREATE COMPLETELY NEW CUSTOM WORK?

I am conservative about accepting commissions for custom work, but willing to consider your ideas. Please email me a brief description of what you have in mind. I will only consider work that is in my own style; I do not produce other people's images to order.

WILL I RECEIVE ANYTHING ALONG WITH THE ARTWORK?

Edition numbers and titles are printed on the backs of the art. A copy of any other writing that is associated with a piece will also be sent with it. You may also request a personalized message in the “special requests” section of the shopping cart.

WHAT IF MY TILE ART IS DAMAGED IN SHIPPING?

Damage is extremely rare as artworks are packaged very carefully. In the event that there seems to be damage to your art, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can replace your piece. Do not throw away any of the packaging materials as all artworks are insured when shipped and insurers will want to inspect the packaging.

WHAT IS YOUR EXCHANGE POLICY?

We are happy to exchange unframed artworks in the condition they were sold in, for others of equal or greater value or for a credit toward a future purchase, within a period of six months from purchase. Customer covers shipping charges for returns.

HOW DO I SEND A MESSAGE WITH AN ARTWORK?

To include a personal message with artwork sent as gifts, please enter the text in the "special requests" section of the shopping cart. If you want an inscription from the artist on the back of the artwork, please contact us by e-mail.

DO YOU HAVE GIFT CERTIFICATES?

Yes! Please contact us if you would like to order one or more. This is a great way to solve the problem: Which one would they like?!

HOW CAN I RECEIVE NOTICE OF ART ON TILE EVENTS?

Email us if you would like to add your or someone else's name to our mailing list. We send out postcards a couple of times a year and occasional e-mails to advertise our events. We do not share personal information.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE ART GROUPINGS NOTED ON THE THUMBNAILS BARS?

The headings refer to five series into which I have grouped my art. These include: “Spirit and Sensuality”, “Endless Childhood”, “Hope, The Human Journey”, “Who Asks” and “Masks and Mirrors”. The artworks weren't created with any groupings in mind; they were retrospectively organized on the basis of very broad similarities of mood, style, or content. The groupings are primarily a tool for others to use to navigate through quite a large body of images. Of course, I welcome you to create your own stories about these images and about the relationships between them.

WHICH COMES FIRST--THE TITLES AND POEMS OR THE IMAGES?

I almost always write titles (and poetry) that accompany my tile paintings after the art is finished. Adding words to imagery is a way of articulating what was wordless as I drew and painted. As I meditate on titles, I often remember dreams and other sources of the imagery that I hadn't been conscious of while painting.

WHAT IS A VISIT TO YOUR STUDIO LIKE?

The Art on Tile Studio is part of our home. As well as two rooms of currently available tile art (and some outdoors and installed) you are welcome to peruse the collection of artwork from Justine's childhood (portfolios dated by year from the age of three to adult), and her past and recent art on paper and canvas—not currently for sale. We also have photo albums of many hundreds of tile paintings completed over the past twenty years. We welcome you to bring friends, family, pets, as well as any materials (such as tiles, paint samples, etc) that might help you choose your art.

We have a young daughter who loves to play with visitors' kids and we'll be happy to entertain your children ourselves if she's not home. We love to talk about the art but are also happy to leave you to view it in solitude if that is your preference.

Open Houses or Sales are casual events. They can be a time for unhurried quiet contemplation of the art, discussing your tiling plans and also to meet other interesting folk.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO IN YOUR AREA?

Woodacre, California is a village in the San Geronimo Valley in Marin County, twenty minutes west of San Rafael and twenty minutes east of the Point Reyes National Seashore. It is a very beautiful area and we can direct you to extensive nearby wilderness hiking and biking, old growth redwoods a few minutes away, fairly close beaches, blackberry picking in the summer, salmon-watching in the winter, other artists in the neighborhood and our favorite places to eat (we'll provide snacks and drinks!)

DO YOU EVER HAVE SALES OR BARGAIN PIECES?

We have a large number of pieces which we consider “seconds” due to imperfections that occur during the firing process. Some collectors particularly like the less technically perfect pieces for their character. It is worth a visit to our studios during one of our studio sales if you want to look through this collection for bargains. Many of the “seconds” are near perfect and significantly reduced in price.

 

back to top