My career in stained glass mosaic was launched while out for a neighbourhood walk in Calgary, Alberta. ‘Glass Mosaic Studio. Private Lessons,’ the lawn sign said. So I walked up to the house, rang the door bell and signed up for weekly classes.

That fortuitous walk twenty years ago was the beginning of an entirely new pursuit. I switched my focus from writing and public relations to art. For the most part self taught, I have taken various art classes along the way, read books, attended workshops and persevered when I was tempted to give up. As a result, my mosaics have travelled to homes throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe.

As with many artists, my compositions are inspired by my surroundings. Twenty years ago, my husband and I moved to Vancouver Island renowned for its temperate climate and beautiful scenery. My home studio in the city of Duncan looks out onto flowering shrubs, ornamental maples, fruit trees and a host of perennial flowers. The vibrant colours of the forests, ocean and wildlife inform much of my subject matter.

I am particularly drawn to large flower mosaics. I enjoy creating compositions alive with colour and texture – a veritable riot, where each organic shape competes for space. Glass is a rigid, sometimes difficult medium. I am always challenging myself to go a little further within its confines.

Over the years, I’ve started incorporating broken china into some of my compositions. Not only is it a great way of recycling chipped and cracked tableware, it also enhances colour and textures. Each mosaic I make is an original indoor wall hanging and no two are alike. My works range in size from 24” by 24” to 3” by 5.”