Brookhaven Artist Stays busy with Sales, Shows

Janice Schmidt, a Brookhaven resident and local artist, began experimenting with mosaics about 15 years ago when a friend suggested she try it.

Growing up in Cleveland, she was always creative and her mother and grandmother taught her the joy of working with her hands.

Fast-forward to today and Schmidt’s art has matured into an impressive and prolific portfolio that includes figurative fine art, wearable mosaics and home furnishing.

In a world of mass produced, cookie cutter merchandise, this local artist is convinced that “our hearts long for a connection with something that’s created by hand with love and imagination.”

Love.  Imagination.

Two things, she said, that are the key ingredients for Janice Schmidt Mosaics - an assorted collection of wall art along with other unique, one-of-a kind pieces; the wearable collection Mosaic Goddesses; and the bathroom and installation pieces Mosaic Goddesses at Home.

Schmidt’s work is deconstructive by nature of the craft. The process includes breaking sheets of glass and reassembling it into an image or pattern. Her work considers details like color and materials carefully. Much of her work employs precious metals and stones.

“Glass, found objects, gems, stones are just some of the materials you'll find in my mosaics.  But the main ingredient you'll find in my work is love,” Schmidt said on her website. "My wearable mosaics - belt buckles, rings, pendants - are inspired by the things I love - folk art, whimsy, Native American jewelry, funk, irreverence, mythology, poetry, reverence, soulfulness."

Schmidt is showing her wares this week at the High Point Market - a high end wholesale furniture market in North Carolina. The event began April 2 and lasts through the week.

“Participating in wholesale events is a great opportunity to see different skills and expertise of other artist,” Schmidt said.  “It’s also great way to see artists' styles and different approaches to the work. It’s a great learning experience.”

With new business on the rise, Schmidt stays optimistic about future endeavors.

“Most of the opportunities for new business happen from word of mouth. I recently received a call from a boutique in New Jersey that wants to carry my belts from the Mosaic Goddesses collection in their stores.”

In either case, Schmidt stays busy with wholesale shows, gallery events, and retail pieces for specialty stores and boutiques in and around Atlanta. She credits her success to her focus on functional art.

“I’m part designer and part artists.  I enjoy working on art that people can use.”