Welcome to the Journal
This is where I share little glimpses of life at Villa Rustica—stories from our days as makers, the workshops we hold and lovers of the slower, quieter things. Greg (a clay enthusiast) and I (mosaic is my thing) both work from studios here on the property. We spend our time making art, tending to the gardens and chickens, and soaking in the beauty and stillness of this special place we call home.
Quietude in the Studio
An experiment in stillness, intuition and the quiet art of letting go.
Roman Mosaic Workshop
Inspired by her recent visit to Pompeii, Jane is teaching a marble workshop that’s perfect for beginners and experienced artists wanting to work with marble.
Meditation & Mosaic Workshop
Join Jane and guest meditation teacher, Gopi Margmieux, for this special experiential workshop of meditation and mosaics.
Workshop Recap: “From Olley to Andamento”
A four-day still life workshop with visiting artist Caitlin Hepworth was one of the year’s highlights—see photos of this incredible workshop: From Olley to Andamento
A Mosaic Tour of Pompeii and Tuscany
My Italian adventure exploring the ancient mosaics of Pompeii and a mosaic workshop in a medieval Tuscan castle!
Mosaics from our Winter 2025 Workshop
Revealing the mosaics from our winter workshop - beautiful bugs and personal icons.
Winter Mosaic Workshops
Icons and Bugs come together in our upcoming winter mosaic workshop.
Botanical Mosaics Revealed!
Here’s a recap of the amazing projects made by students in our Botanical Mosaic Workshop.
Botanical Mosaic Workshop
Join us for our Botanical Mosaic Workshop where you’ll create a unique mosaic of your favourite flower or leaf.
Painterly Mosaics Workshop with Mireille Swinnen
Behind the Scenes: A Stunning Look at Mireille Swinnen’s Painterly Mosaic Workshop
Behind the Scenes at our Candle-making Workshops
Our recent candle-making workshops were colourful and fragrant! Here are the behind-the-scenes photos…
The Beauty of Symbols in our recent mosaic workshop
Here are the vibrant mosaics created in our Icons & Symbols workshop.
Icons & Symbols Mosaic Course
Join this creative workshop where you’ll make a beautiful mosaic symbol.
Mosaic Tapestries Revealed!
Here’s a recap of the amazing projects made by students in our Mosaic Tapestry Workshop.
Mosaic Tapestry Workshop
Join us for our Mosaic Tapestry Workshop where you’ll create a unique glass tapestry taking inspiration from ancient rugs and textiles.
Candlemaking Workshops
In our candle-making workshops, participants step into the shoes of a perfumer to discover their favourite fragrances.
Refill your Candles Workshop
Give your candles a refresh at our upcoming “Refill your Candle” workshop. Limited spaces available.
Sculpture for Mosaic Workshop
A weekend of learning sculpture with visiting artist, Caitlin Hepworth, is the highlight of our year!
Spirit Totem Workshop
Our recent Spirit Totem workshop with artist Sue Isherwood was a great success. Here are some photos from this creative weekend.
On the Mud Trail
We had the most amazing weekend welcoming hundreds of visitors to Villa Rustica on this year’s Mud Trail.