For Marilyn D’Costa, the artist behind Mosaic Imprints, creativity was never a distant pursuit. Raised in a family where making and drawing were part of everyday life, she grew up surrounded by artistic influences. Her mother, a nurse with a love for crafting, created things by hand for the family, while her father, a draftsman and architect, pursued drawing and painting. Although Marilyn eventually began her professional career in Human Resources, her connection with art remained constant.
Today, Mosaic Imprints represents a very different chapter in her life, one shaped by creativity, craftsmanship, faith and the courage to follow an unexpected path.
From Corporate Life to Creative Pursuit
Marilyn’s introduction to mosaic art came through a summer workshop conducted by Shallu several years ago. Learning to break, cut and arrange tiles opened up a new creative possibility. She was drawn to the transformation that took place when individual fragments were brought together to form something complete.
After stepping away from her corporate career, she returned to this interest during the 2020 lockdown. What began as a way to stay creatively engaged soon developed into making mosaic pieces for friends and family. The response encouraged her to take the next step, leading to the official launch of Mosaic Imprints.
The name itself reflects the philosophy behind her work. Since no two mosaics are ever identical, every arrangement of colour, texture, material and form creates its own distinctive imprint.
For Marilyn, building the venture was not a carefully mapped-out career move. It was a decision to trust her instincts and pursue something that brought her genuine happiness. Faith, hope and patience have remained important parts of that journey, particularly during moments when the next step was uncertain.
Art Shaped by Fragments
Mosaic-making is a process of transformation. Individual pieces of ceramic tile or stained glass may appear insignificant on their own, but together they can become portraits, landscapes, decorative compositions or large-scale installations.
This quality is central to Marilyn’s connection with the medium. The physical process involves breaking, cutting, shaping, arranging and fixing each element, requiring patience and close attention to detail. Yet it is precisely this hands-on approach that gives the finished work its character.
Her practice encompasses customised wall art, portraits, decorative pieces, murals, personalised artworks, suncatchers, panels, windows, doors and installations. She works with ceramic tiles, stained glass and other materials, selecting combinations according to the requirements of each project.
The appeal of commissioned work lies in its individuality. A favourite colour, personal memory, meaningful subject, interest in nature or the character of a particular space can become the foundation for an artwork. Rather than simply producing something visually appealing, Marilyn aims to create pieces that have a personal connection with the people and spaces they are made for.
Turning Ideas into Personal Artworks
Each commission begins with a conversation. Marilyn first seeks to understand the client’s idea, the location where the work will be installed and the meaning they want it to convey. Some projects arrive with detailed concepts and references, while others begin with little more than a theme or colour palette.
From there, she develops the concept and determines the appropriate materials, colours, textures and techniques. The process allows room for collaboration while keeping the client’s personality and requirements at the centre of the design.
This approach means that a Mosaic Imprints creation can range from an intimate personalised piece to a large architectural feature, with each project developing its own visual language.
Inspired by Goa
Nature is a recurring influence in Marilyn’s work. Flowers, leaves, birds, butterflies and the sea provide an extensive palette of forms and colours. Her surroundings in Goa add another layer to this inspiration.
The state’s coastline, tropical landscapes, traditional homes, Portuguese-influenced architecture and slower pace of life frequently inform her creative perspective. She is particularly drawn to the mosaic details found in older Goan houses and buildings.
While these heritage references provide a foundation, Marilyn does not seek to simply reproduce traditional designs. Instead, she interprets them through a contemporary lens, combining elements of Goa’s architectural and artistic heritage with modern materials, tools and techniques.
Creating an Accessible Art Experience
Beyond commissioned pieces, Mosaic Imprints has developed into a space where others can discover the medium for themselves. Marilyn conducts beginner-friendly workshops at her studio as well as cafés, creative studios and collaborative spaces across Goa.
The sessions introduce participants to the fundamentals of mosaic-making, from selecting and arranging tiles to designing, cutting or shaping pieces, fixing them and completing the artwork. Materials and guidance are provided throughout, allowing participants to focus on the experience rather than worrying about prior preparation.
No artistic background is necessary. The workshops are deliberately structured for complete beginners, including those who may not consider themselves creative or confident in drawing.
For Marilyn, one of the most rewarding aspects is watching participants change their perception of their own abilities. Someone who arrives convinced they are “not creative” can leave with a finished artwork made entirely by hand. The workshops also offer an opportunity to step away from everyday routines and spend time immersed in a tactile, creative activity.
Milestones Built Through Collaboration
The evolution of Mosaic Imprints from a personal lockdown project into a professional artistic venture remains one of Marilyn’s most significant milestones. Yet some of her most memorable experiences have come through the people and spaces connected to her work.
A particularly meaningful project involved collaborating with the students, teachers and Principal of Carmel College to design and create two mosaic wall murals for the campus. The project brought together artistic expression and collective participation, making it an especially rewarding experience.
Marilyn has also designed stained-glass interiors for a treehouse at Nirvana Hill Resort and created bespoke artworks for clients including Bonita, ITC and Masaka. Each commission has presented a different creative challenge and an opportunity to develop work suited to a specific setting. Seeing these creations become permanent parts of homes, businesses, hospitality spaces and institutions is among the aspects of her practice she values most.
The Craft Behind the Finished Piece
One of the challenges of working with mosaics is communicating the amount of craftsmanship involved. A completed artwork can appear effortless, while the process behind it may involve hours of planning, cutting, arranging and placing individual pieces.
Material sourcing can present another challenge, particularly when a project requires specific colours, finishes or tile types that may not be readily available locally. Marilyn has responded by continually developing her techniques, experimenting with materials and upgrading her tools. When a project demands something particularly specific, she even hand-paints her own tiles to achieve the desired result.
Workshops and social media have also helped introduce more people to the medium. In Marilyn’s experience, participating in the process itself often creates a deeper appreciation for the patience, precision and creativity required to make a mosaic.
Looking Ahead
The next chapter for Mosaic Imprints is centred on making mosaic and stained-glass art accessible to an even wider creative community. Marilyn plans to conduct workshops in Mumbai and Bangalore alongside her programmes in Goa, while also introducing advanced mosaic classes for participants who want to develop their skills further. Stained-glass workshops are another planned addition, giving participants the opportunity to create panels and suncatchers from scratch.
She also sees potential in creative corporate events, using art as a way to encourage mindfulness, teamwork and artistic expression. Beyond workshops, Marilyn is developing a Goa-inspired collection drawing from the state’s landscapes, architecture, flora, fauna and everyday character.
Larger installations and collaborations with fellow artists and creative spaces are also part of her vision. Ultimately, she hopes Mosaic Imprints will grow beyond the traditional idea of an art studio and become a creative environment where people can discover the versatility and contemporary possibilities of mosaic and stained glass.
A Creative Journey in Every Piece
Marilyn’s journey offers a reminder that creative careers do not always begin with a defined plan. Sometimes, they emerge from an interest that refuses to disappear.
For her, mosaic art has become more than a profession. It is a practice rooted in patience, experimentation and transformation. The very nature of the medium, turning fragments into something complete, has become a reflection of her own journey.
Her message to aspiring artists is equally simple: there is no need to wait until everything feels perfect before beginning. Art is about exploration, experimentation and discovering an individual voice.
At Mosaic Imprints, every piece begins with fragments. Through time, patience and imagination, those fragments become something whole, carrying not only the imprint of the artist, but also the story of the person or place it was created for.