My mission is to create joy through the expression of bespoke mosaic art.
Mercedes Austin is the Artist & Founder, the dreamer behind Mercury Mosaics. Originally from Minneapolis and having grown up in an architecturally significant home, Mercedes has always had a passion for unique interiors. An artist all her life, she was consistently experimenting, but never with one creative focus. Combining a passion for math, architecture, design & painting - mosaic tile, and all the possibilities within the medium, presented a perfect match to hold her attention. Mercury Mosaics started as an answer to a personal goal of being an artist full-time. Choosing to focus on mosaic art, Mercedes wanted the pieces for her work to be a signature handmade tile.
Coming from the hospitality industry, Mercedes has always made great service & taking care of people an extremely high priority. It began with a focus on small-batch-made home accessories – like accent mosaic tables and colorfully tiled mirrors – with commissions locally. Soon, clients getting small home accessories wanted things for their kitchens, bathrooms and fireplaces, installed permanently. 21 years later it has grown to working with clients nationally and internationally: B2C & B2B.
One thing led to another, and Mercedes transformed from a solo artist to full-blown creative entrepreneur leading a company that influences the tile industry at a global level. To sustain this success and continue the level of care that is her standard, Mercedes has curated a group of some of the finest craftspeople and expert administrators who all share a passion for uplifting the world, one handmade tile at a time.
Everything comes full-circle, and after 20 years of building a handmade tile supply chain, Mercedes intentionally restarted her personal studio practice while scaling back time invested in Mercury Mosaics, tapping back into diversifying her passions. A true artist studio now houses Mercedes’ personal art practice, separating the tile making operations from the art she makes – embracing the core value: “Make something together, working in harmony.”
Her motto is “Never Give Up”, not even if you spend close to a lifetime to build something. If you always remain true to your purpose in life, the time will pass anyway, but the dignity you earn within yourself will keep you young & energized!
