Student Interviews 2026 - Lorna Connolly
Intermediate student Lorna Connolly - started with Mrs Mosaic in 2023
1. What first sparked your interest in mosaics, and how did you come across it?
My husband bought me a weekend mosaic course as he thought I would like as I enjoyed doing puzzles.
2. Can you recall the moments when you realised mosaics were something you wanted to try yourself?
After the course I had a go on my own but the mosaics did not come out well as I was struggling with the reverse method. Also difficult to split with work & home life.
3. What was happening in your life at the time you discovered mosaics, and how do you think that influenced your interest?
When I retired I wanted to give mosaicking another go as I would have more time, I wanted to find somewhere locally.
4. Who or what played a role in introducing you to mosaic art?
My husband. He has been supportive throughout
5. How did your first experience making or viewing a mosaic make you feel?
I now enjoy seeing how mosaics I am doing now turn out and how they brighten up the garden
6. What do you enjoy most about making mosaics?
I enjoy having the idea of a design, then planning how to do it. Seeing the final mosaic complete. Husband and friends loving the mosaic, Also I like to take a friends' idea and complete the end mosaic that they love.
7. How has your relationship with mosaics evolved since you first discovered it?
Now fairly confident on adapting pictures and scaling up for a large mosaic.
8. Please describe a personal memory or story connected to your first mosaic project?
When I took it on first after retirement, it was about completing mosaics for our garden – definitely a drinking theme!
9. How do you think your personality or interests influence the mosaics you make?
a drinki I love to host parties in our garden so I like to do mosaics that bring colour and fun to our garden. My mosaics have been large and colourful and have brought great joy to our garden. I also like to apply that fun to the mosaics that I have done for friends. So that they have colour in their own gardens. Great to see their appreciation when its all done.
What keeps you coming back to mosaic work, and what does it give you personally?
I love coming to the workshops as it not only inspires me for ideas but also share my work with others.
Nicola's Comments
Lorna is relentless! in her pursuit of mosaics!
She has such an energy and motivation for her craft, which is a pure joy. And my goodness she puts me through my paces! she arrives at classes like a whirlwind with a full list of questions to grill me on! Whenever I catch glimspes of photos of her landscaped garden I'm filled with joy...no longer an architects dream neutral space, now its alive with mosaic colours popping out left, right and centre..full of amusement and inviduality.
She suggested that she'd like to create a mosaic of her dog, so a few of us joined in with her, learning the challenges together, and keeping each other motivated...it was a challenge, and that's what I love about Lorna, she always wants to challenge herself.
With a natural mathematical mind she's been an absolute legend in helping myself and others in solving some of the more complex scaling up ideas! such a valuable member of the group.
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