When Deborah Wahl was chosen to join the Society of American Mosaic Artists, she said it was “quite an honor.”

A blind jury selected Wahl out of almost 600 entries nationwide and recognized her for her undeniable talent as the creator and sole artist of Wahl to Wall Mosaics.

As part of Black History Month, Hoodlums Music and Movies will be showcasing Wahl’s mosaic tile pieces throughout February.

Here, patrons of the arts can witness the rhythm and blues Wahl has captured within her mosaics.

Her signature piece, which hangs on the wall at Hoodlums is a portrait of B.B. King, the “reigning king of blues.”

Completing the royal family is Wahl’s portrait of the “queen of blues,” Etta James, which hangs beside King’s mosaic.

Blues legend she “needed a woman” among her series of portraits of musicians Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Ray Charles and John Lennon.

James is a blues artist Wahl describes is “a real blues woman.” Wahl describes James as “rough,” the reason she chose to make a more abstract portrait using her mosaic style.

The 48-year-old Wahl has been making mosaic tile creations out of her backyard in Tempe for nearly eight years. The artist concentrates on an assortment of mosaic styles from landscapes to abstracts and even outdoor art, but her “personal favorite” works are the ones she created of legendary blues artists.

Wahl takes pride in her detailed work, which requires her to hand pick each tile, then shape and grind it until it’s ready to be glued or cemented along with hundreds of other tiny tiles.

When each tile has been given its place, the result is a complete picture that captures the essence of its subject unlike paint or picture.

Reach the reporter at kelsey.groetken@asu.edu.