Mosaic work has become the perfect medium to marry my love of nature, an insatiable thirst to scavenge for reusable oddities and the chance to spark curiosity, appreciation and beauty through the use of unlikely materials. In addition to working with traditional tesserae like Italian and Mexican smalti, stained glass, stone and tile, I incorporate rocks, fossils, knots of wood, creek glass and rusty bits found on trails. When I’m working on new pieces, my brain is completely open and engaged in the process of breaking, shaping, placing and cementing. We all have different ways to cope with stress, hardship and loss, as well as profound gratitude. Creating and engaging in art has always been vital in doing that for me.