Mosaicweh Artist Statement

Creativity has been an unwavering presence in my life. I was raised in a family where making things was part of everyday living, and I was encouraged to follow what genuinely brought me happiness. From a young age, I was surrounded by hands-on projects and creative problem-solving, an approach that still guides my work today. One idea has stayed with me throughout my life and practice: “Everything gets used eventually.”

I pursued formal art education at Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee through the Frederick Layton Art Scholarship. The mentorship from Sister Thomasita Fessler and the structure of the Fine Art Program had a lasting impact on my development as an artist. After college, I worked in a variety of creative roles, including kiln operator, gallery assistant, frame shop manager, and visual display assistant. Each job experience contributed technical skills and practical knowledge that continue to influence my mosaic work.

After becoming a parent, I shifted to working from my home studio, first creating small watercolor pieces combined with found objects. During this time, I became increasingly drawn to mosaics, experimenting with china shards and reclaimed materials and teaching myself how to manipulate the medium through trial, research, and repetition. Over the past 30+ years, I have continued to refine my process, explore new techniques, and exhibit my work through art shows, galleries, and shops.

Alongside my studio practice, I am now a full-time elementary art teacher working with students in grades K–8. Teaching allows me to stay deeply engaged in creative exploration while sharing that process with young artists. I continue to grow my business through exhibitions and art fairs, and through experience and ongoing experimentation, mosaic has become the medium that best reflects how I work and what I value as an artist.