Renee's Musical Mosaics
Imagination in 3D
Renee's Musical Mosaics
Imagination in 3D
Renee's Musical Mosaics
About Renee Walkup
Finding inspiration in the interplay of color and various shapes, Renee Walkup works with contrast and harmony on upcycled substrates using primarily string instruments. Materials such as glass tiles, semiprecious stones, stained glass, copper, crystal beads, rubber, ceramic, rocks, vintage jewelry, and objects from nature, find their way into Renee’s unique works. Her pieces reveal beauty in color, texture, and form, while reducing waste in landfills.
Her passion for music and art, as well as her love of the environment, have come together finding harmony in homes and businesses, creating joy to the viewer.
Seaside Paradise
Detail of “Seaside Paradise” ukulele. This beautiful piece was made using blown Bedrock Glass, vintage iridescent crystals, glass beads, black pearls, sea glass, and mother of pearl. Check out the entire work of art under the “Gallery” tab, and click onto “Musical Instruments”.
“With a bit of whimsy, endless creativity and impressive skill, Renee Walkup gives new lives to forgotten musical instruments and other objects.”
–Irene Middleman Thomas
A Night Out
This violin has a sensuous shape just perfect for a luxurious, elegant tuxedo ready for “A Night Out”, which is what Renee named the violin work. She covered the body using upcycled, leftover stained glass, and then grouted the glass. The sides of the violin are also covered in glass and grouted to create a finished look (not shown). Next, she used a vintage jet and metal necklace as a modified, sophisticated, feminine belt on the “hips” of the violin. Vintage jewelry, pearls, and parts of a beaded dress collar finished off the tuxedo details, neck, and head of the violin. “A Night Out” was purchased by a musician who has the work hanging above her baby grand piano in her conservatory.
“I love my “Espresso” ukulele. It is so beautifully detailed that it hangs by itself on a wall in my home. That way every tile placement can be appreciated as Renee’s mosaics deserve to be.”
–Jean L.
Copper Mirror
This detail is of a whimsical copper, turquoise, carnelian, and rubber frame that surrounds a bathroom mirror. The piece is quite large and serves as the centerpiece of interest in an otherwise dull powder room. The homeowner wanted to create a warm mood in her bathroom and gave Renee the freedom to create a frame that would serve as an interesting focal point when guests are visiting. She designed the mirror with copper and turquoise so that the colors could create contrast and interplay with each other against the silvery mirror.