BOULDER - Mary Greenpool loves to mix and match materials to create mosaics that are eye catching and functional. Whether she's enhancing a fireplace, incorporating the architecture of the Taj Mahal to create a fountain, or making use of abstract shapes in a bathroom counter - the result is far from ordinary. Greenpool is the owner and operator of Boulder-based Aqua Mosaics, which provides custom tile work for homeowners and businesses. She started her career as a geologist and earned a master's degree in cultural anthropology from the University of Illinois. The artisan moved to Boulder three years ago after working as a custom tile contractor for nearly a decade in Colorado Springs. "I wanted to move from beige and gray and thought Boulder would be a great place where people were interested in functional art," she said. "I hoped people would be more interested in artistic designs in their homes." The move lived up to expectations, and she watched her new business grow. Her studio is located in her garage in the foothills above Boulder. She declined to disclose her revenues. Greenpool typically uses marble, stone, granite, glass and ceramic tile for her creations. Recently, Greenpool branched out to create indoor and outdoor water features that combine stone, water and metal with the sounds of water movement. One large completed project is the fountain at the entrance to the Taj Mahal III restaurant in Louisville. Other Colorado clients are located in Denver, Lakewood and Nederland in remodels of existing homes, new construction and commercial space. "I really enjoy the art and materials I am working with," Greenwood said. She prefers designs that are a departure from the standard grid of an entryway or fireplace, and she makes sure the tile work is the focal point. Inspiration for the designs stems from a variety of sources - including her customers. One client had recently visited Spain, where she admired the ancient mosaics. Greenpool developed a backsplash in her kitchen that included similar mosaics with cut glass. Another wanted to use designs of nature that resulted in a shower wall with floral mosaics. Pricing depends on the complexity of each project and costs of materials. Greenpool estimates that prices such as a standard tile entryway could start at $8 per square foot and go up to $50 per square foot depending on the design. "Material prices vary wildly and greatly affect the price of a project," she said. Although most referrals come from word of mouth, Greenpool also has marketed her talents to area architects and builders. Typically Greenpool visits the client's home or commercial area to determine the scope of the endeavor. She then discusses materials, design and options. Once price and design is agreed upon, she works closely with clients during the process. Projects typically require several weeks depending on the intricacies involved. Laura Edwards of Boulder purchased a house in 2003 that needed updating. She learned about Aqua Mosaics from a friend and hired Greenpool to create tile designs in the kitchen, hallway, entryway and bathroom. "Her workmanship is really good. I didn't appreciate it at first," Edwards said. "We have remarkably smooth slate tile floors." Greenpool created a floor with three different size tiles that doesn't look like a pattern, a design request from the homeowners. In the bathroom, Greenpool had more artistic leeway. She incorporated the colors and shapes from Kandinsky and Picasso prints to make a vibrant design. "It just looks great. We get comments all the time from guests," Edwards said. "Tile envy comes out." Architect and developer JV Desousa of RenWorks LLC said Greenpool "... is good to work with. She is willing to explore ideas to approach problems differently and creatively. She can look at any atypical design and see possibilities and see ways it can be done." Greenpool enjoys being challenged and approaches the problem as someone who wants to create an artful installation. "There is a certain amount of professional and intellectual return that comes from doing things that are interesting and challenging and not just based on just how much money she earns," Desousa said. Cindy McMullen of Nederland has seen Greenpool's work and was impressed with the artistry and detail. When she doubled the size of her home, she granted Greenpool "artistic license" in the new bathroom. The shower is tiled from floor to ceiling in a mosaic of woods, tree trunks and leaves. The bottom is pebbled like river stones with a sun mosaic around the drain. The bathroom floor has stones for a river running through it, matching the motif of the bottom of shower. "It was nice to be able to run through some ideas with her," McMullen said. "Since it is a mountain home, I wanted the nature motif." Greenpool picked out stone, finding the right textures for the tree trunks and leaves. "It made the process a lot easier. She was on schedule and on budget, cleanup was taken care of."