J Muzacz sitting in front of his mirror mosaic Dayton

FAQ

  • Where are you located?
    Something Cool Studios, 1717 E Cesar Chavez St. in Austin, TX

    I like your work. Can you send me a sketch with a design?
    Yes. I do require a deposit for all initial sketches and concepts.

    Do you travel outside of Austin for clients?
    Of course, I love traveling! There may be associated costs to cover expenses like airfare and housing, local per diem, etc. depending on the distance.

    Are you insured?
    Yes. I have general liability coverage and event insurance to set your mind at ease.

    Are we allowed to merchandise, or will you license your art?
    Possibly. Let’s talk!

    Do you offer installation services?
    I’ll happily install any artworks I make for you as we discuss, or I can hand it off to your on-site experts to handle it.

    What are your accepted payment methods?
    Cash, check, credit card, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, Bitcoin, barter, etc.

    What is the available warranty policy?
    I typically offer a one-year warranty on my workmanship and installation, some exclusions may apply. Thereafter, I am happy to provide any needed repairs at industry rates or refer someone else who can help out. I will also let you know if the artwork requires ongoing upkeep or just general TLC.

    I’m not sure what kind of artwork I need. Can you help me figure that out?
    Absolutely! Send me an email with your ideas, pics of your space, and any other specs, and we can go from there.

  • Can I change my mosaic's design?
    Redesigns can be done as long as production on the piece hasn’t started. There may be associated costs for the time and labor required to come up with the new concepts.

    Are all of your mosaics handmade?
    Yes! I make all my mosaics with my expert team of artists and designers, cutting and placing tiles one by one, either on-site or at Something Cool Studios.

    What is the finish of your mosaics?
    Mosaic murals can be a combination of vitreous glass, recycled mirror, ceramic tile, porcelain, stone, even found objects, and more! If you have a preferred finish, i.e. glossy or matte, just let me know.

    Where can I put my mosaic artwork?
    Walls, ceiling, floor, furniture, indoors/outdoors, submerged in a pool…just about anywhere!

    Are your mosaics slippery?
    Generally speaking, yes. However, we can consider the architectural use and installation location and adapt accordingly for floor murals.

    What substrates can you install a mosaic on?
    I use high-quality, industry-standard substrates like treated plywood, Hardiebacker, WediBoard, Hydro Ban, fiberglass mesh, or concrete blocks. If there’s a certain material you want, chances are I can make it work!

    How long does a mosaic take to make?
    Depending on scale, materials, and details, a mosaic can take anywhere from a few days to complete or up to a few months from design to fabrication and final installation.

    How long will a mosaic last?
    Mosaics can easily last a lifetime with very little maintenance. The longest-surviving mosaic is over 3,500 years old!

    What materials do you use?
    I’ve worked with almost every material out there, but I most often use vitreous glass tile and ceramic on plywood or concrete.

    What kind of upkeep is necessary for a mosaic?
    For routine upkeep and small spills, simply wipe with a damp cloth. For in-depth cleaning and stains, here’s a more comprehensive guide.

  • How much do your murals cost?
    Pricing for public art and murals is on a sliding scale and depends on the dimensions, accessibility, how detailed the design is, the surface texture, and other factors. Contact me to see where your project fits in!

    How long does it take to paint a mural?
    Timing also depends on the scale and detail, but I can generally complete a painted mural within a few days to a week.

    How long will the paint last? Do you have a guarantee?
    High-quality paint in the Texas sun ought to last up to ten years or more with proper care and maintenance, although this is impacted by the condition of the surface, whether or not it gets direct sunlight, rain, etc. Regardless, I use top-of-the-line pigmented paints and can include a UV-protective clear coat to make your mural last as long as possible. Mosaic murals will never fade and ought to last the life of the building with minimal maintenance.

    What are the next steps to starting a mural?
    Contact me! I like to start with a conversation about what you want out of the mural, your inspirations, the local culture, and more to get a feel for our next steps.

    What paint/materials do you use?
    Aerosol spray paint murals will likely be a combination of Kobra Spray Technologies, Montana Cans, or Rustoleum in a pinch. Flat roller paints used are interior/exterior Behr Marquee or Dynasty, where available.

    How should the wall be prepared?
    We can discuss this in more detail, but generally, the wall should be power washed, removing any old or peeling paint, patching holes, and finishing the texture, before priming/sealing. This should all be done at least a week before starting the painting process.

    Can you paint a mural on removable panels to be installed on location?
    Yes, but for the most impact, I generally recommend painting directly onto the wall.

  • Do you work with children?
    Absolutely! I have almost two decades of teaching experience working with children, “at-risk” youth, teens, and people of all ages and abilities.

    Can this be done for any medium? Murals or mosaics?
    Yes! We have excellent options for both mediums and every situation.

    How many community members can join in?
    This largely depends on the scale of your desired location and project. I’ve held community engagement workshops with 10 people at a time and ones with over 200! We’re able to scale with your needs for the project.

    Can this be done independently from an artwork commission?
    Yes! Community engagement can be many people contributing to a single large artwork or it can be each person creating their own artwork… Or anything in between!

    What will the final deliverable of the engagement be?
    This is entirely up to you and your goal of the engagement. We can create a mural, mosaic-mural, large-scale mosaic, or many mosaics for individuals to take home. If you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them.

  • How do I book a session?
    Contact me!

    Can I book a workshop for a large group?
    Absolutely! If you want to book a time outside our usual hours, contact me, and we can find a time that works for everyone.

    How far in advance do you take bookings?
    As far as you’d like! With a 50% deposit, we can secure most days/times well in advance.

    How much does a workshop cost per person? Is there a large group discount?
    A standard, in-person beginner workshop with everything included costs $65 per person. For pricing on other options such as intermediate and advanced workshops, take-home kits, and more, see The Mosaic Workshop’s Book Now page. Contact for group rates.

  • What does curation entail?
    Anything from connecting with artists to producing the entire show or event.

    How much time is needed to curate artwork?
    Depends on the scale and scope of the event. Typically at least 2–3 months in advance are required to communicate with artists and make arrangements.

    Will you install the curated artwork?
    If this is desired, I can arrange for installation.

    Will you pick up and drop off curated artwork?
    As negotiated, I am happy to arrange delivery.

    What themes or artforms do you curate/not curate for?
    I specialize in street art, graffiti, and murals. I also have 3 years of experience as a panelist for Austin’s Art In Public Places program and can likely connect with 3D sculpture artists, light artists, projection mapping, and perhaps even performers.

    How much would curation cost?
    This largely depends on the size and scope of the exhibition or engagement.

    Do you handle artist communication?
    As negotiated, I can handle any or all communications as needed.

  • What do you offer for producing events and festivals?
    I produce artist lineups and procure artworks or schedule artists as well as provide logistical consultation and production as needed.

    How much time is needed to plan before the event or festival?
    Typically at least 4–6 months is recommended.

    What are the potential benefits of hosting an event or festival?
    Festival or event activation leads to increased tourism, travel, and foot traffic in the area, resulting in a spike in the local economy. Encouraging arts and culture adds immense value to a community or city, and can provide a positive injection of energy and vibrance in a relatively quick and affordable way.

    Will I need to provide a location?
    Yes, But I may be able to help. There may be associated costs to cover time spent researching and contacting venues.