I had made a Marilyn Monroe mirror (sold sorry) and taken it into my gallery. The owner looked at it and loved it, but said "Why didn't you put some pills on it?"

That got me thinking about celebrities who died tragically and young - which led me to Janis Joplin. Coincidentially, I was asked to do one of the "Live Studios" here on EBSQ and began documenting my processes for the presentation.

For this piece, I took a postage stamp of Janis and put it between two pieces of glass cut from an old picture frame. I used clear silicone glue on the front and back of the postage stamp and let them dry overnight.

I also looked into to how she died and how she lived. She died of an overdose of heroin, so I found some copyright free pictures of heroin and put these between glass as well. I also read that she loved her Southern Comfort. Luckily, I found some little key chains on eBay with miniature Southern Comfort bottles on them. And of course Janis was all about the music.

Since Janis was a singer and musician, other items I thought would work include sheet music (again put between glass), miniature guitars from old jewelry, clef symbols made of polymer clay and funky shaped old jewelry and music charms.

This mosaic was done on the infamous IKEA 10" mirror using mastic which I colored with black concrete colorant. The jewelry pieces (earrings, watches, pendants, pins, necklaces and chains) and other findings were embedded directly into the mastic, leaving no need for grouting.

This piece is sold: Phoenix Gallery. 916-447-1632 1801 L Street #211 Sacramento, CA 95814 (on 18th between K & L st.)