biography

As a self-taught artist for over 30 years, I have always relied on my deepest intuitions to lead me on my artistic journey. The building, constructing and reassembling a variety of materials has always been a fascination for me. My art has been about taking or breaking things apart and putting them back together in new ways. After working as a fiber artist for 15 years experimenting with a variety of quilting techniques, I traded in my sewing machine for a pair of tile nippers and have been creating mosaic art since 1995. Tiles, plates, stone, glass and found objects are the building blocks of my pieces both 2 and 3 dimensional. I create fine art mosaics for the home, commercial and community setting including fine art pieces, murals, mirrors, floors, furniture, installations, musical instruments and garden pieces.

I have taught beginning and advanced mosaic art classes to adults and children for the past 7 years. As an Artist-In-Residence, I have developed a MOSAIC ART PROGRAM for Chicago Metro schools which endeavors to teach children about the history, materials and techniques of mosaic art through the creation of large mosaic murals and individual projects. I give workshops to schools and community groups and sell my work through fine art shows and through the internet. I continue to strive to find new ways to bring the art experience into my community.

Community Art Projects (See School Projects)

Present Monroe Elementary School, 6' x 12' mural, Hinsdale, IL

Winter 2008 Copeland Manor Elementary School, 40" x 14' mural, Libertyville, IL

2007 McAuliffe Elementary School, "Eat Healthy", 75 sq. ft mural, Chicago, IL

2007 Carpenter Elementary School, 40" x 16' mural, Park Ridge, IL

2006 Park View Elementary School, "Park View at Play" , 40" x 25' mural, Morton Grove, IL

2006 McAuliffe Elementary School , "Reach for the Stars", 65 sq. ft. mural, Chicago, IL

2004-05 Beaubien Elementary School Centennial Mosaic Project, Chicago, IL

7, 3' x 12' Murals depicting educational themes

2000-01 Northside College Prep High School, Historial Chicago & It's River, Chicago, IL

Awards

2007 Long Grove Art Festival - First Place 3D

2005 Long Grove Art Festival – Honorable Mention

2004 Frankfort Festival of Crafts – Second Place/Fine Art

2004 Deerfield Festival of Fine Art – Honorable Mention

1997 Old Orchard Fine Art Fair – Honorable Mention

1996 Excellence in Teaching “Art Smart” Program–Ebinger Elementary School, Chicago, IL

Exhibitions

Present "Let Them Eat Chocolate" Chicago, IL lecte Selected contemporary works, runs February 1 - March 3 , 2008

2007 "Beyond the Surface: Contemporary Mosaics" St Xavier University, Chicago, IL

2005 Chicago Mosaic School, Faculty Exhibition, Chicago, IL

2002 Faculty Member, Bits and Pieces Mosaic School, Elmhurst, IL

Education/Affiliations

2003 - 2007 Member of SAMA – Society of American Mosaic Artists

Mosaic Artists Organization

2003 - 2007 Chicago Artist’s Coalition

2003/05/06 Career Development Training in Mosaic through SAMA

Media

Mosaic Art 2006 Yearbook, E-Book on CD Rom

"Game Table" and "The Seasons" featured pieces

Daily Herald, April, 2006

"Violins As Works of Art"

Groutline Magazine, Winter 2006

(Society of American Mosaic Artists quarterly)

"Beaubien Students Share the Joy of Mosaics"

NBC News, September, 2005

Beaubien Centennial Mosaic Project, interview with artist

Marianne Ahern, reporter

Chicago Tribune, Home and Garden Section, July, 2005

“Call Her the Cover Girl of Modern Mosaic” (click to read)

Mosaic Art 2005 Yearbook, E-Book on CD- ROM

"Sunflowers" and "Star of Wonder" featured pieces