About Me

Glass artist. Maker. Teacher.

For more than two decades, I’ve been creating original stained-glass mosaics from my studio in Winchester, Ontario. Every piece I create is hand-cut and individually composed, with no two pieces ever quite alike.

My work ranges from completely freehand, intuitive designs to highly detailed pieces where photographs and other reference images are essential. When I’m creating an animal portrait, a person’s likeness, a home, or another recognizable subject, those references help me capture the details, proportions and character that make the subject unique.

From there, I interpret what I see through glass — choosing the colours, shapes, values, textures and movement that bring the piece to life.

Sometimes I begin with little more than an idea and allow the design to evolve as I work. Other times I begin with a carefully developed image or drawing. Either way, every mosaic is created by hand, one piece of glass and one artistic decision at a time.

 

How It Started

My journey into mosaic art began in 2003, when I discovered that breaking glass and putting it back together could be both meditative and magical. What started as a creative outlet quickly became an obsession, then a calling.

I fell in love with the way light moves through stained glass — how colors shift throughout the day, how a piece can look completely different in morning sun versus evening glow. That interplay of light and color still captivates me with every new piece I create.

My Process

My process changes depending on the piece. Sometimes I work completely freehand, allowing the design to evolve as I go. For more detailed or representational work, I use photographs, drawings or other reference images to help establish proportion, perspective and accuracy. These references are a starting point — the interpretation happens through the glass.

Every piece of glass is individually selected and hand-cut, then carefully placed to create colour, depth, texture and movement. Some pieces take days. Others take weeks. Each one involves countless decisions along the way and hours of focused, intentional work.

I work primarily with stained glass, often incorporating other materials when a piece calls for it — from natural live-edge wood and reclaimed windows to vintage glass and other unexpected elements. The materials may change, but the process is always very much my own.

Beyond the Studio

While I love creating original artwork, one of my greatest joys is teaching others to discover their own creative voice through mosaic art. Through my DIY kits and live coaching sessions, I've helped hundreds of students create their first mosaics — many of whom thought they "weren't artistic" before they started.

There's something incredibly rewarding about watching someone experience that same spark I felt back in 2003, when they realize they can create something beautiful with their own hands.

What Inspires Me

I'm inspired by Ontario's natural beauty — the cardinals at my bird feeder, the changing seasons, the loons on northern lakes. I'm inspired by color itself, by the way certain glass fragments seem to call out to be placed next to each other. And I'm inspired by the people who connect with my work, who see a piece and feel something stir.

Why Mosaic Art?

Mosaic art has a way of taking broken things and making them whole again. There's a metaphor in there somewhere about life, about resilience, about finding beauty in fragments.

But mostly, I just love working with glass. I love the sound it makes when it breaks. I love the weight of it in my hand. I love how a pile of seemingly random pieces can transform into a cohesive image that tells a story.

Thank You

If you're reading this, thank you for taking the time to learn about my work. Whether you're here to browse the gallery, purchase a piece for your home, or try your hand at creating your own mosaic, I'm grateful you're here.

Every piece I create carries a part of me — my time, my attention, my creative energy. When you bring one of these pieces into your home, you're not just getting wall art. You're getting a one-of-a-kind creation that will never be replicated.

And that, to me, is pretty special.

— Cindy Laneville
Winchester, Ontario

Want to Connect?

Have questions about a piece? Want to commission custom work? Thinking about trying a DIY kit?

Email: cindylaneville@gmail.com
Instagram: cindylanevillemosaicartist
Studio Location: Winchester, Ontario (by appointment)

Can't wait to hear from you!