Butterflies, Moths, and Dragonflies...

Fragments in Flight
Art Commissions Inspired by Native Species

From the delicate shimmer of a dragonfly’s wing to the weathered blue of a holly butterfly’s edge, these creatures are more than decorative — they are memory-bearers, symbols of season and place, and quiet reminders of presence.

Peacock Butterfly – Aglais io

At Mosaic Memories, each butterfly, moth, or dragonfly is crafted with care, using a rich array of found and repurposed materials — broken crockery, old buttons, carnival glass, and scavenged tiles. These fragments are gathered like colours on a palette, laid piece by piece into detailed mosaics not aiming to replicate, but to be worthy of the creatures they honour.

[Rather than replication], I want to be worthy. These creatures are so beautiful in themselves — I wouldn’t want to do them an injustice.

Each design begins with study — of species, wing pattern, rhythm, and colour — and then opens into a tactile intuitive process: rummaging, sorting, fitting, and building. Bodies are often hand-shaped with sculptor’s foam to add subtle three-dimensionality, enhancing the lifelike presence of each creature. The results are mosaics of a refined high intricacy: dense with shape, colour variation, and narrative detail.

Personal Commissions with Deeper Meaning

We invite you to contribute fragments of your own; a cherished piece of jewellery, a favourite broken cup, a ceramic shard, a keepsake — something small yet precious can be embedded into the final mosaic. These become touchstones within the design, adding layers of personal story, memory, and connection.

Whether for a garden wall, a quiet alcove, staircase wall, or commemorative space, your chosen species can be transformed into a mosaic holding both natural reverence and personal meaning.

Commission Options

• Choose any native UK butterfly, moth, dragonfly, or damselfly species.
While these are Carolyn’s particular loves, she's always open to honouring other native UK wee beasties — beetles, bugs, bees, and all manner of small creatures.
If there's a specific species you have in mind, feel free to ask.
• Sizes (fixed area, with approximate footprint):

Note: The area values are fixed for pricing purposes, while the listed footprints are approximate and reflect the natural form of butterflies, moths, dragonflies, and damselflies. Mosaics follow the creature’s silhouette, meaning their shapes are often irregular — not strictly rectangular or circular. The dimensions given refer to the approximate footprint (the surface area the mosaic occupies), not to a framed or boxed outline. Each layout is tailored to suit both the creature’s proportions and your spatial needs — whether square, wide-winged, long-bodied, or asymmetrical.

⬤ As an example, the peacock butterfly at the top of this page has a 126cm wingspan at its widest. The overall surface area is approximately 1m²

Commissioning Process

1. Choose your species and approximate size
2. Share colours, placement, and any stories or objects you'd like included
3. Carolyn will sketch and plan the composition
4. Materials are sourced — rummaged, cut, and tested
5. Final mosaic is created and delivered or installed

Each mosaic is handcut, piece by piece — from cutting and shaping the substrate and every tessera to assembling, grouting, and finishing. Please allow 4 to 10 weeks for completion depending on the scale and intricacy of the piece.

As professional artists and working artisans, we often balance multiple commissions, community works, and site-based projects. Lead times will be discussed clearly at the start, and we’ll always aim to accommodate your preferred timeline where possible.

Mounting & Installation

All mosaics are supplied as wall-hung pieces by default, suitable for both indoor and outdoor display.
If you require:
• freestanding installation
• insets for plaster, brick, or rendering
• framed or sealed-edge formats
...these are all possible, but will incur additional cost. We recommend discussing these options early in the commissioning process, as they affect the choice of substrate and materials from the outset.

Weather-Resilience

Mosaics are weatherproofed to a high standard using water-resistant boards, outdoor-grade adhesives, sealants, and grouts. However, due to the UK’s temperate winters, we recommend bringing mosaics under cover during cold-wet or freezing conditions, or installing them in sheltered locations to ensure longevity.

Detail & Materials

• All pieces exhibit a refined high level of intricacy, featuring artisan tessellation, colour blending, and mixed media.
• We work with a broad range of found and traditional materials — and are glad to incorporate your own.

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