Meet Collette Mann

We recently connected with Collette Mann and have shared our conversation below.

Collette, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Finding my purpose has always been a continual journey, evolving alongside each chapter of my life. For many years, my art took a backseat to other responsibilities. My primary focus was raising my children, and I would only pursue creative projects when time allowed. Later, as my children grew older and entered school, my nursing career took precedence. Now, with more space in my life, art has emerged as my main pursuit. The knowledge and empathy gained from my nursing background have deepened my appreciation for the healing qualities of art, inspiring me to engage in community outreach through my creative work.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My primary focus is mosaic art, and I enjoy teaching mosaic classes throughout Hampton Roads. I particularly find teaching children to be the most rewarding experience, as they approach the creative process without the inhibitions often seen in adults. Kids just dive in without hesitation or concern for “doing it right.” I also enjoy incorporating art into workplace settings to facilitate team-building activities. My long-term goal is to establish a teaching studio in my home, as traveling to teach can be a bit daunting.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back on my art journey, I don’t think I realized how private my art was to me. It truly is a form of self-expression, and there’s something really vulnerable about sharing it. It’s even more intimidating to enter art calls and face the possibility of rejection. So, my very first bit of advice would be:

1. Be brave. Everyone who enters an art call or exhibition is experiencing the same pangs of vulnerability that you are.
2. Be curious and stay curious. Seek out other artists if something interests you. Take a class – this is how we grow.
3. Stay true. Try not to be influenced by what’s currently the new art trend. Stay true to your own aesthetic. As Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My husband is my greatest supporter. My art is demanding, and his encouragement is invaluable. He builds my frames and we’ve also collaborated on wooden bowls with mosaic inlays. And of course all of my family and friends that take the time to attend my art shows

Contact Info:

• Website: https://collettemannmosaics.com
• Instagram: @collette.mann.mosaics