Our Story
About Tile Tempo
For over 20 years, artists Amy and Jeff Dallas have been carving their unique marble and granite tiles in their Wisconsin studio. Their original designs retain the raw beauty of the marble and granite that they hand-select.
They are the pioneers and originators of this unique medium of carving into stone tiles. The question they get asked the most often at the juried shows they attend is “How did you think of this?” Following is the story of how Tile Tempo got started:
After graduating from the University of Madison-Wisconsin with a degree in Fine Art, Amy worked for many years as a financial specialist for the State of Wisconsin for an environmental program. During these years, she experimented with different mediums. But it wasn’t until she took stone sculpting lessons at the Marble Institute of Colorado that she found the medium that spoke to her. During this time she had a literal dream to carve into stone tiles, which she first attempted with a dremmel tool. However this only scratched the surface. Wanting to carve deeper reliefs, she sought out monument makers, who taught her how to sandblast. After much experimentation, she sold here first sculpture and tiles at a gallery in Redstone, Colorado. After many sales later through juried shows, she devoted herself full time to tile carving in 2003. Her husband, Jeff started to collaborate with her full time in 2005. Jeff, who is also a professional landscape painter, graduated from the University of Eau Claire with a degree in Illustration. You can view Jeff’s paintings here: http://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/jeff-dallas
About the Designs
All of their unique stone carvings start out as an original drawing on paper. Their designs celebrate the growth and beauty of the natural world, both in materials used and in subject matter. Through pattern and line quality they communicate their interest in the patterns that link art, math, science, and nature. Amy grew up sailing on the waters of Lake Michigan. This water element seeps into many of her designs. Jeff grew up in the quiet landscape of northern Wisconsin, which contributes to the quiet power of his designs.
They have a deep respect and awe for the geological forces that formed their medium over millions of years. Their design choices of combining heavier granite with lighter marble or limestone is conscious, depending on their design.
About the Process
These unique reliefs are carved into granite, marble and limestone tiles. They have been formed over millions of years, and therefore vary in veining or color. Amy and Jeff Dallas have developed an intimate knowledge of which stones to use in which design. Therefore, much of the work involves hand selecting each tile.
Each relief starts out with a complete pencil drawing. The artists plan out which areas will be negative (sandblasted) or positive (remain polished).
Amy and Jeff then trace the drawing onto a rubber mask and cut the designs out with an X-Acto knife.
The rubber protects the polished part while Jeff sandblasts to carve the stone.
After sandblasting, the stone is washed and the rubber removed. Amy then etches the stone with a dremmel tool.
Depending on the piece, the artists then embellish the art with other mediums, such as gold/copper leaf paint, river rocks, Japanese paper, stained glass, and/or resin.
