We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Susan Wechsler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Susan below.
Hi Susan, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I feel life is a journey, a journey that needs purpose. Yes, I am an artist but over the years I found my purpose is to empower others, mainly women with their own creative voice. I get the joy that art brings into my life daily. But by sharing my talents & passions with others, I am able to bring joy into their lives too!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I wake up everyday, head to my studio, my sacred space, and need to create. I work on several large pieces at the same time. My mosaics are spread out over 3 large work tables surrounded by my work and treasures hanging on all of my studio walls. My art sells quickly, but I also teach around the world my unique mosaic techniques. For those who are unable to take my workshops, I put together custom mosaic kits and advise through FaceTime. The most important aspect of what I do for me is to share my work through a few channels. Of course, those who purchase my art get to enjoy daily my creations. When I teach, my students get to enjoy their work. 100% of my students are so proud of what they create that they all are on display at their homes. You can find me daily in my new studio in Lovely Downtown Evergreen, Colorado. Surrounded by the mountains and nature- the bet place to be inspired.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I was born knowing my calling, I am one of the lucky ones that way. I won every art contest I applied to. Went off to art school and was the darling of my class. My journey has always been clear but not always easy. It is not so easy supporting ones self through art, but for me I had no choice! I think of my art career as a tree. At the base is my art that needs to change and grow. Without that strong foundation, a clear artistic voice, a sense of self in the art world- there is no place to grow.
My branches are how I support my art, or make money. I do this through, besides selling my art, workshops, I have been asked to teach around the world and so I go. Organizing these workshops is a tremendous amount of work but I am rewarded when I meet and connect with my students and create changes in their lives. Another branch or revenue stream is I sell my materials. For my work and throughout my travels, I have a huge collection of what I call “discarded treasures” that I use for my “palette”. My students always ask me where I shop, so now they shop with me. My materials are mostly vintage, one-of-a-kind and unique- so often I put together a custom mosaic kit just for them. I hand build my substrates, so I sell them too. They are unique to me and my mosaics and can only be purchased through me. I have started making prints of my work. My Native American pieces are my most popular these days, so now I have a series of Art Prints. I feel that art should be for everyone, so this allows me to have a lower price point for my collectors.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My mom is my everything! She passed 5 years ago, but she hangs in my studio with me everyday. If I listen closely, she still guides me through my artistic process. It was my mom who suggested I mosaic dresses, given my costume design background in the 80’s on Broadway and B movies. This series was what gave me international attention. I sold them as quickly as I made them. Through social media, I was known for this work across the Globe which is how I got started traveling and teaching. And then it was my mosaic Animal Heads- her suggestion.
And when she passed, I started creating these Healing Medicine Wheels, that are still my most popular series to buy and to teach in my workshops. You can try one of these Magical Pieces too because they are my most popular custom kits.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mosaicsbysusan.com
- Instagram: instagram/mosaicsbysusan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.wechsler
- Youtube: Susan Wechsler
- Other: pinterest: mosaicsbysusan
Image Credits
all my photos
