We’re looking forward to introducing you to Eileen McDonough. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Eileen, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
First thing upon waking is a cup of coffee, gratitude meditation and the ‘Tibetan Rites’ a yoga practice which increases energy and improves sleep. I’ll go to the gym for a quick swim if there is no workshop booked.
I walk to work, across Lisbon’s city center. This is an enjoyable daily practice as I believe Lisbon to be one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals.
Typically I have a morning workshop, most but not all days. Here I teach tourists the joys of mosaics. I have the opportunity to meet the world’s coolest people, all walks of life, from all corners of the world.
In one workshop alone I had 6 continents represented.
After lunch I’m alone in the studio working on my current table. My mission seems to be to create a better table than the previous one, a little competition I have with myself. I sell them online and at local interior decoration stores. This time alone is priceless to me.
This healthy balance of social time/alone time suits an ambivert like myself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a ‘Corporate America drop-out’ living my dream creating mosaic tables in Lisbon, Portugal.
I taught myself this technique almost 30 years ago when I met my now husband and realized I wanted to stay here.
Being in a tile capital, surrounded by amazing mosaic sidewalks, how could I not??
I have created tables for cafés
and restaurants in Portugal and private collections around the world.
As mentioned earlier, I also teach this technique which has it own rewards. After my workshop students are equipped to pursue this at home. I have received photos of many of their latest pieces which is extremely gratifying.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
When I was young, around age 8, I would go into the woods alone near our home primarily to escape my many (seven!) loud siblings. They were a fun and lively bunch, but I felt the need for solitude.
To learn the power of being alone at such a young age–to block out all the noise–has proved quite valuable.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Go easy on yourself.
Don’t worry about what others think of you, because generally they don’t. To borrow the brilliant Elenor Roosevelt quote:
“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.“
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
My husband.
I can pretty much always count on him to take the high road.
Seemingly (almost!) egoless and incapable of a petty thought, he always has the most ethical and moral take on any situation.
What a privilege to live with such an individual.
Humbling at times, to be sure…
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
Customers would miss the workshops.
Of course my ego would prefer my tables be missed, but I feel to empower others is the real juice here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lisbonmosaicstudio.com
- Instagram: lisbonmosaics
- Facebook: Lisbon Mosaics
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