NATIVE TILE & CERAMICS
Owner Diana Mausser, Biography
Birth:
Diana
L. Mausser born January 3, 1963, Redondo Beach, CA
Education:
California
College of Arts and Crafts
5212 Broadway at College Ave.
Oakland,
CA 94618 415-653-8118
Pre-Graduate Studies – Art
September
1987 – May 1988
University of California, Los Angeles
405
Hilgard Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024 213-206-0471
Bachelor
of Arts Degree in Design, cum laude Honors
(Emphasis on
Ceramics) June 1986
Mira Costa High School
701
South Peck
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
General Studies
May
1982
Work Experience:
Native
Tile and Ceramics
2317 Border Ave.
Torrance,
CA 90501 310-533-8684
Owner, glaze development, tile
design and fabrication
October 1990 to Present
Malibu
Ceramic Works
P.O. Box 1406
Topanga, CA
90290
Glaze development and production management
June
1989 to December 1990
Barbara Beall Studios (Ceramic
tile company)
20309 Gramercy Place
Torrance,
CA 90501
Glaze development and custom design work
August
1986 to July 1987, August 1988 to April
1989
PUBLICATIONS
Books:
Tiles
by
Olivia Bell Buehl
(Clarkson Potter, 1996)
Pgs. 80-81,
112-113, 189
Designing
With Tile
by Carolyn Coyle
(Van Nostrand
Reinhold, 1995)
Pgs. 141, 193
A Community of Angels
by
Marnie Tenden
(Angel City Press, 2001)
Pg. 127
Architectural Ceramics
by
Peter King
(Lark Books, 1999)
Pgs. 77, 114
Handmade Tiles
by
Frank Giorgini
(Lark Books, 1994)
Pgs. 54, 123, 141
Making and Installing Handmade
Tiles
by Angelica Pozo
(Lark Books 2005)
Pg.
129
Periodicals:
American Bungalow
Issue
11, “An Appreciation of Arts and Crafts Tiles: Grueby, Batchelder and
Beyond”
By Ron Endlich
Pgs. 25-31
Sunset
February
1996, “A Tile Revival”
by Peter O. Whitely
Pgs. 92-96
Sunset
April
1996, “Great Legs”
by Bill Crosby
Pgs. 116-117
Sunset
September
1996, “Big Stoves”
by Bill Crosby
Pgs. 90-92
House Beautiful
September
1996, “Kitchen Makeover Magic”
by Jeff Book
Pgs.
144-146, 152
Renovation
Style
Spring 1997, “Floor Tiles”
by
John Riha
Pgs. 76-83
Bob Vila’s American Home
Spring/Summer
1997, “Arts and Crafts Style Celebration”
by Michael Walker
Pgs.
88-95, 133
San
Diego Home and Garden
October 1999, “Right as
Requa”
by Bill Manson
Pgs. 110-188
Sunset
Spring-Summer
2000, “The Look: Magically Mediterranean”
by Sharon Cohoon
Pgs.
40-41
Los
Angeles Times Magazine
May 20, 2001, “The
Personal Touch”
by Susan Heeger
Pgs. 21-29
Home Magazine
October
2002, “Gothic Light: Before and After”
by Susan Kleinman
Pgs.
67-72
Renovation
Style Magazine
December 2003, “Old World, New
Look”
by Chuck Ross
Pgs. 49-52
American Bungalow
Number
40, Winter 2003, “New and Noteworthy”
Pg. 22
Old House Journal’s Traditional
Products
Spring 2004, “Interior Products”
Pgs.
46, 54
Old
House Journal’s Traditional Products
Fall 2004,
“Floors and Ceilings”
Pg. 83
This Old House
June
2004, “Mix Mastery”
by Barbara Carlin
Pgs. 24, 28,
32
Old
House Interiors
November 2004, “Jazzy Baths”
by
Catherine Lundie
Pgs. 8, 34
Los Angeles Magazine
February
2005, “Splash From the Past”
Pg. 95
Sunset
April
2005, “Best of the West: Handmade Tile”
by Peter Whiteley
Pg.
36
Lifescapes
Magazine
November 2005, “Piecing It All
Together: Experts and Artisans Talk Tile”
by
Avital Binshtock
Interviewing Diana Watson, Christy Johnson,
Darly Arthur, Janine Waldbaum, Norman Karlson
Pgs. 46-48
EXHIBITIONS
AND LIMITED EDITION AWARDS:
1998
Group Show
Gallery
207
712 Ramage Street, Los Angeles, CA
May 1998
2001
The Art of Tile
The
SMUD Art Gallery and the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission
800
10th Street, Suite 1, Sacramento, CA
April 17 through May 17
2001
Artistic Imaginings in Clay
The
Art Museum of the Americas
201 18th St.
Washington, DC
October
10 through January 15
2001
Tile: Out of the Box
Target
Gallery
105 N. Union St.
Alexandria, VA
October
10 through December 30
2001
A Community of Angels
(In Association with Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Native
Angel
The Music Center, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles,
CA 90012
The Los Angeles public art project A Community of
Angels (TM) was initiated by the Volunteers of America and the Catholic
Big Brothers to raise funds to support vital programs for youth. Native
Angel, created by Diana Watson, was one of about 250 angel sculptures
that adorned the streets of Los Angeles from March to May.
Native Angel was placed in the courtyard of The Music Center.
October
2000 through May 2001
2001
Workman and Temple Family
Homestead Museum
15415 E. Don Julian
City
of Industry, CA 91745
An extensive selection of art
tiles from the Native Tile and Ceramics Catalogue are currently a
permanent part of the Research Library and California Tile Collection
at the Homestead Museum.
2001
Tile Heritage Foundation
P.O.
Box 1850, Healdsburg, CA 95448
A non-profit
organization that focuses on the research and preservation of ceramic
surfaces. Diana Watson was selected to create the 2001 Tile
Heritage Commemorative Tile.
2001/2002
Modern Masters
An
HGTV Series that profiles master craftspeople from around the country
featured Diana Watson on an episode which aired in Winter 2001/2002.
2003
Laguna Clay Company
Each
year Laguna Clay selects a ceramic artist to create their Christmas
tile. The limited edition tile is part of an on-going series
which depicts a currently endangered species. Diana Watson
and Native Tile were selected to create the 2003 Endangered Species
Awareness Series Tile. Diana Watson chose the Thick-Billed Parrot and
the tile was created in a style reminiscent of the California tile
companies from the past like Taylor, D&M, and Catalina.
2003-2005
Malibu Lagoon Museum and Adamson
House
Native Tile has created, by the request of
the Malibu Lagoon Museum, two limited edition tiles for the main
purpose of helping the museum to raise money for the museum.
They are attempting to purchase the furniture as well as the other
contents of the home from the family. The commemorative tiles
depict an image of the Adamson House designed by Michael Uhlenkott and
a Malibu Tile-inspired hummingbird image designed by Diana Watson.
2004-2005
Malibu Pier
Diana
Watson and Native Tile created two tiles depicting two different views
of the Malibu Pier, one from the beach and one from the entrance to the
pier. The tiles are both a symbol in celebration of the 100th
birthday of the pier itself (1905-2005), as well as an item to purchase
as a fund raising effort to help restore the pier. The tiles
were commissioned by Jefferson Wagner, the main man involved in this
very important pier restoration project. Thank you Jefferson
for choosing us to help.
PUBLIC
TILE INSTALLATIONS:
Disneyland Resort – Disney’s
California Adventure
Disney’s Grand California
Hotel (TM)
Anaheim, CA
Diana Watson designed and
manufactured a Craftsman-style fireplace as well as other decorative
tile that was used to embellish this turn-of-the-century
California-style hotel.
Brentwood Plaza
Brentwood,
CA
This little plaza was built next to an existing
Spanish/Mission-styled building. Brentwood Plaza would
incorporate the same design sensibilities, but the use of hand-made,
decorative tile would make it unique. Diana Watson was
commissioned to create tile for the stair risers, column bases and
custom fountain.
Serra
Retreat Chapel
Malibu, CA
This project
was a special honor for Diana Watson. The Serra Retreat was
finally completing the final phases of rebuilding after the 1970s
fire. The Brothers were erecting a new chapel and Diana
Watson was commissioned to create a small mural to embellish the front
entrance of their new chapel. Their only request was to
incorporate the bright colors that were so prominent in the surviving
Malibu tiles that they looked at every day on the grounds of the Serra
Retreat. Her mural depicts Father Serra standing as a ghost
figure returning to the Serra Retreat to give his blessing to the new
Chapel.
Casa
Del Herrero Fountain Restoration
Montecito, CA
After
extensive damage to the main entrance fountain of this historic
landmark, Diana was commissioned to recreate several of the decorative
tiles as well as molded pieces in order to bring this fountain back to
its original antique state. The decorative tiles were
originally from Spain in the Cuenca (high line) technique, so molds
were hand carved to emulate the rustic originals. The biggest
challenge as in any tile restoration is in matching the weathered look
of the glaze. These fountain tiles were no
exception. Countless tests were performed before the
satisfactory final match was achieved.
Leo Palace Condominium Resort
Leon
Hills, Guam
Designed by Sussman/Prejza of Los
Angeles. A series of six 20' x 3.5' murals and twenty 2'
x 7' murals, as well as the main entrance archway. Their concept and
our challenge was to create brightly colored jungle motif murals in a
faux broken tile mosaic look. In addition to creating a
successful solution to the look they wanted, the glazes were all custom
matched to a very sophisticated and extensive color palette.
The entry archway was made up of 5' x 4' patterned tiles that had to be
slightly dish-shaped in order to accommodate the arch’s complex
curves. The tile helped to integrate the stark white modern
architecture into the tropical environment in a whimsical yet
sophisticated way.
Avenue of the Peninsula Shopping
Center
Palos Verdes, CA
The architects
on this project were the Jerde Partnership, Ron Fiala,
Architect. This outdoor shopping center remodel was designed
to incorporate colorful decorative tiles on the many stair risers
throughout the plaza. The architect worked closely with Diana
to come up with the appropriate color palette in glaze that was a
complement to the colorfully painted modern architecture. The
tile patterns are geometric in nature and boldly decorate the entirety
of each stairway, some of which are 30 stairs high and 20 feet
across. Native Tile also created the unique signage that
exists throughout the shopping area. These signs incorporate
custom carved tiles as well as broken tile mosaics using Native Tile.
Palm Canyon Plaza Shopping Area
Palm
Springs, CA
James Cioffi was the architect on this shopping
remodel. Cioffi’s concept was to turn the existing outdated
look into a more California Spanish style. The Architect was
especially attracted to Catalina Tile, so Diana was commissioned to
create Catalina styled tiles and murals to embellish the stairs,
arches, and selective walls. Especially important was to
incorporate the unique, bright colors in keeping with the Catalina
style, which would integrate nicely into the festive Palm Springs
environment on North Palm Canyon Drive, the main drag through downtown
Palm Springs.
The
Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn
Palm Springs, CA
This
1920s Mediterranean Villa was tastefully restored and made into a
beautiful Inn by Tracy Conrad. Diana was inspired by existing
tiles and ceiling paintings to create tile for the Inn’s exterior entry
stairway, swimming pool, spa, and fountain, as well as gift tiles.
The Adamson House
Malibu,
CA
Native Tile was asked to design and fabricate both the main
entrance sign as well as signs that help direct patrons on the walking
tour through the grounds of the Adamson House. The 6' x 8'main entrance sign was a much-needed marker to remind people
driving by what beauty lies behind the mysterious walls surrounding the
Adamson House. The smaller location signs are scattered
throughout the museum grounds. They contain important text
which helps explain briefly the history of the museum and the
development of the area that surrounds it. Diana Watson and
Michael Uhlenkott designed the main entrance sign. It was a
project that was both an honor and a privilege.
The Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel
Santa
Barbara, CA
As part of a massive renovation of the Biltmore
Hotel, Native Tile contributed tile throughout the property.
The majority of Native Tile can be seen in the main building.
Much of the tile that was created for the main building can be viewed
as a kind of restoration. All of the tile that is original to
the building was created by the Gladding McBean Tile
Company. Diana Watson painstakingly matched all of
the glazes both in color and texture from the original Gladding McBean
tiles in order to create the “new” tiles needed for the
renovation. Native Tile created decorative tiles in the
following areas: Main entry fountain mural; Pre-function area
wainscot; Men’s and women’s restrooms; Main dining room fountain; Main
dining patio fire pit; Spa area custom map mural; Cottage G and H patio
fireplaces; B-West area wainscot and men’s and women’s restrooms; and
restoration of the bar area stair risers.
NOTED
CLIENT LIST
Individuals
George
Lucas
Kevin Costner
Madonna
Sondra Locke
Michael
Richards
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Teri Garr
Anthony
Edwards
Don Felder
Robert Downey, Jr.
Martina
Navratilova
Richard Branson
Dick Van Dyke
Robert
Heinecken
Andy Summers
Julie Eizenberg
Rob
Minkoff
Alexis Denisof & Alyson Hannigan
Steven
Spielberg
Locations
Disney
Hotel, Anaheim, CA
Plaza Las Fuentes, Pasadena CA
Leo
Palace Resorts, Guam
Avenue of the Peninsula, Palos Verdes, CA
Gilmore
Adobe, Los Angeles, CA
Brentwood Plaza, Brentwood, CA
Ojai
Valley Spa Inn, Ojai, CA
Franciscan Metro Center, Los Angeles,
CA
Malibu Lagoon Museum, Malibu,CA
Richstone
Foundation, Hawthorne, CA
Movico Theaters, Florida
“Party
of Five” Set
“Father of the Bride 2” Set
Glendale
Community College, Glendale, CA
The Mar Vista Institute, Mar
Vista, CA
Natural History Museum, Santa Barbara, CA
Autry
Museum, Los Angeles, CA
The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn,
Palm Springs, CA
The Malibu Pier, Malibu, CA
The
Serra Retreat Center, Malibu, CA
Los Angeles County Museum
of Art
Four Seasons Biltmore, Santa Barbara, CA