Travis Soto is a glass mosaic artist whose work is inspired by the natural world. With a passion for both color and texture, Soto uses vibrant glass to create intricate mosaics that evoke the fluidity, light, and movement, while exploring themes of transformation, and connection.
A largely self-taught artist, Soto began experimenting with glass mosaic techniques after being introduced to the art of stained glass as an adolescent. This exploration led to a deep appreciation for the versatility of glass as a medium—its ability to capture light, its varied textures, and its unique play of transparency and opacity. Over the years, Soto has honed a style that combines meticulous craftsmanship with an intuitive approach to design, allowing each mosaic to come alive as it reflects the surrounding light and environment.
Soto’s work is characterized by an intricate layering of glass pieces, often built up in sweeping, organic patterns that suggest waves, tides, and the movement of water. Inspired by the colors and textures of the ocean, each mosaic is a moment frozen in time—a reflection of nature’s dynamic beauty and endless transformation. From the bright turquoise of sunlit waves to the deeper blues and greens of the deep sea, Soto uses color and texture to evoke a sense of serenity, awe, and reverence for the natural world.
Throughout Soto’s career, the ocean has been a constant muse. Growing up near the coast, Soto has always felt a deep connection to the water, finding both peace and inspiration in the ocean's rhythms. This connection continues to inform the artist’s work, allowing the boundaries between art and nature to dissolve as each piece unfolds in response to the materials and the environment.
In addition to creating original works for private collections and exhibitions, Soto is passionate about sharing the process of glass mosaic art with others. Teaching workshops and mentoring aspiring artists, Soto enjoys guiding students in exploring the meditative and transformative qualities of mosaic-making. This desire to share knowledge and inspire creativity is central to Soto’s approach to both art and life.
Soto’s mosaics have been featured in galleries, art shows, tasting rooms and private collections. The artist’s work continues to evolve, with each new piece building upon a growing understanding of the interplay between glass, light, and nature’s ever-changing forms. Whether reflecting the calming stillness of a quiet tide pool or the powerful surge of a crashing wave, Soto’s mosaics invite viewers to pause and reconnect with the natural world, experiencing its beauty in all its fleeting, ever-changing glory.
Travis Soto currently lives and works in Carlsbad, where the ocean’s influence continues to shape his art.
StatementAs a mosaic glass artist, I find beauty in the fragments. My work is a celebration of color, texture, and the transformative power of brokenness. Each piece of glass, whether smooth or jagged, is a part of a larger, unified whole. Its about turning chaos into refinement.
I work primarily with glass because of its inherent qualities—its transparency, light-reflecting surfaces, and vibrant hues. The process of cutting, shaping, and arranging these glass pieces requires patience and intention. I allow the materials to guide me, responding to the natural flow of color and light as I build intricate, textured patterns.
In my mosaics, I explore themes of nature. My hope is that viewers experience a sense of wonder, not only for the beauty of the glass but for the deeper message embedded in its transformation. Through my work, I invite others to see the beauty in imperfection and the potential for renewal in every shattered fragment.
CvStateCA
CountryUnited States
