About the Artist - Handmade Mosaic Art by Merrin's Art - Australia, handcrafted in Sebastopol, Victoria

About the Artist – Merrin Labinas 


Every mosaic begins with a spark — a flicker of whimsy, a glint of memory, or a story waiting to be told in tile and light. I'm Merrin, an artist drawn to the quiet magic of turning fragments into something whole. My mosaics often start with a feeling or a single idea, then grow into immersive artworks that invite wonder into everyday spaces.


What began as a creative escape soon became something much deeper. My life has been shaped by trauma, cycles of violence, and periods of survival that started far too young. For years I carried the weight of expectations, responsibilities, and the pressure to keep everything together. Eventually, it broke my mental health and forced me to stop—really stop—for the first time in my life.


In that stillness, I found my way back to creating.


Art became my anchor, my way of healing, and a path to breaking generational patterns. My children were the turning point that opened my eyes to the cycle I needed to end, and mosaics became the place where I rebuilt myself piece by piece.


That’s why connection, storytelling, and support are woven deeply into my work. Many of my pieces are inspired by my home, my animals, my memories, and the imaginative worlds that helped me survive. And it’s why my business also supports organisations that help survivors — turning beauty into something that can ripple outward.


I work from my home studio in Sebastopol, Victoria, where animals wander outside and stories unfold in tiles and grout. From custom commissions to one-of-a-kind art pieces, I create mosaics that reflect the personalities of homes, gardens, and the people who live in them.


Whether it’s a playful creature hidden on a chimney, a fairytale scene glimmering in the sun, or a heartfelt memorial in mosaic, each piece is crafted to stir emotion, spark imagination — and last a lifetime.


My hope is that through my art, others feel a little more wonder, a little more comfort, and a reminder that broken things can become something extraordinary.

Learn the Basics of Mosaics

If you ever wanted to try mosaics but didn't know where to begin, this guide will walk you through it. From tools to techniques, it's everything you need to feel confident starting your first piece.

A Guide to Getting Started

Meet Merrin- Mosaic Artist, Storyteller, Collector of Moments

My Mosaic Philosophy

Mosaics aren’t just art — they’re an act of quiet devotion.

There’s no rushing the process. Every tile is cut by hand, placed with care, and guided by feeling more than formula. It’s slow work — intentional, meditative, often emotional. And that’s exactly the point.

I believe mosaics are a way to make meaning permanent. To take something fragile — a memory, a moment, a symbol — and give it weight, beauty, and longevity. They’re a way of stitching together the broken or fleeting pieces of life into something whole. Something solid.

A finished mosaic holds not just colour and form, but time. Time spent thinking, feeling, healing — tile after tile. That’s why I don’t mass-produce my work. Each piece is a chapter. A conversation. A little slice of soul.

My hope is that when you hold one, or see one in your space, you feel it. Not just the artistry — but the intention.

Because to me, a mosaic is more than tile.

It’s memory.

It’s story.

It’s legacy.

🐾 Meet the Muses The companions who inspire my work and walk beside my journey.

  • Bobby as a baby Alexandrine — still ringless but already full of serious charm.

    🐦 Bobby

    The serious one. Always watching, always thinking.
    He once flew back into the house after he escaped just to land on my head — proud and unbothered.
    🟢 Inspired the Alexandrine Mosaic

    Alexandrine Parrot in Magnolia 
  • Precious as a young parrot — sweet-faced but already showing signs of her fiery personality.

    🐦 Precious

    Sweet on the surface, fire underneath.

    She loves kisses and gentle lip pets — until she doesn’t. Loud, bold, unforgettable.

    🔴 Queen of chaos, muse of emotion.

    Ring-neck Parrot in Magnolia 
  • "Close-up of Aristille gently kneading my lap — a soft, comforting ritual of love and trust.

    🐈‍⬛ Aristille

    My calm companion and garden shadow.

    He flops down for cuddles, follows me like a little black guardian, and we helped each other feel safe again.

    ⚫ Featured in the Chimney Mosaic

    Cat Lying In The Sun 
  • Tori, my beloved tortoiseshell cat, sleeping soundly in a close-up moment of calm.

    🐈 Tori

    We were pregnant together once, in sync like soulmates.
    She walked with the dogs, watched over me, and led me to bed when I needed rest.
    🟠 Lives on in my most emotional chimney mosaic — still waiting for her final grout.

    Cat Ignoring Me 
See the Pet Portraits Collection
Behind the mosaics: Merrin flashes a peace sign, sharing positivity and artful energy.

Your story desrves to be told in tile

Whether you're drawn to a piece that already exists or dreaming of something deeply personal, there's room for your story here too. Each mosaic is handmade, heartfelt, and designed to last - because art should mean something.

Explore the Collection