Biography
Maggy Howarth is a pebble mosaic artist living and working in the Lancashire countryside. Over the past 35 years Maggy has produced many award winning public and private artworks, researched the craft around the world and pioneered the pre-cast technique, whilst working to pass on her knowledge and keep the art form alive. She is well known for her original designs which encompass intricate geometry, abstract patterns and natural imagery, all meticulously woven into decorative floor-scapes.
“Design is everything. I like to play. I like to exaggerate rather than aim for the naturalistic. That’s how I find the essence of something.”
Maggy owns and oversees Maggy Howarth Studios (formerly Cobblestone Designs) together with her son George. Fine artist and designer Elizabeth Clough works alongside Maggy to produce designs.
Process
All works are produced on site in our purpose built workshop using a large stock of pebbles, sourced from UK quarries and beaches (with special permissions. Our experience, infrastructure and pebble collection allow us to draw from an extensive pallet of colours and textures and give us the ability to take on large projects. Master craftsman and avid perfectionist Mark Currie has worked with Maggy since 1988 and is in charge of fabrication.
Designs are initially hand drawn in the studio, before being transferred to the computer where they can be blown up and any geometric elements calculated. In the workshop, each pebble is individually selected and placed by hand. Maggy’s pre-cast technique involves working in reverse and is very difficult to master but produces an extremely strong, durable product and allows for very fine detail. We make mosaics to last for hundreds of years, which are suitable for heavy footfall and can be driven over.
Our main focus will always be on bespoke artistic commissions. We work with clients and often landscape designers or architects to produce pieces which compliment the surrounding landscape. For bespoke commissions please make an enquiry here.
We produce some ‘ready-made’ mosaics; smaller designs which we try and keep in stock and also a selection of repeating patterns and ‘paving slabs’. Which are a more cost effective option for covering larger areas: