VanHoven Design creates uniquely designed mosaics in the form of mirrors, wall hangings, furniture and decorative accents. Born and raised in lush Upstate New York, Susan VanHoven blossomed early as an artist, winning awards for her skill and creativity. Her formal education started at Mohawk Valley Community College and was completed at SUNY Fredonia, in Graphic Design.

Susan spent nearly two decades as graphic designer, illustrator and art director for advertising agencies, design firms, corporate art departments and educational institutions, often interpreting and expressing others’ ideas. As repetitive work on the computer began to take a toll, leading to a painful shoulder problem, Susan began to investigate more personally expressive art forms, including decorative painting on furniture. While she occasionally sketched ideas for mosaics and assemblages, her next calling was yet to be discovered.

Susan’s first mosaic project was by no means a small endeavor. Charmed by the graceful lines of a worn and discarded table, instead of repairing and refinishing as she first intended, she found herself giving it a whole new life as she began experimenting with mosaic. As the design evolved, she started incorporating bits of vintage china, including pieces with personal significance. Susan quickly realized the storytelling potential of this intriguing craft, the “personality” to be created in each piece. And as she completed her first piece, her Muse, she realized this complex and creative process was both therapeutic and rewarding. As range of motion returned to her shoulder, she discovered an exciting range of expression. This would be the new direction for VanHoven Design.

Sometimes artists are unaware of the power of their work until others take notice. What Susan had simply considered a fun project – using chipped china, beads and old jewelry gathered from a drawer – turned out to be just such a revelation. Because the piece attracted so much attention and admiration, she recognized the opportunity to use her creativity to again tell others’ stories. An artistic accumulation of memories, Susan calls these art pieces Treasure Mosaics.

The rest is Art history. Today Susan combines her passion for vintage china, and deep appreciation of treasures and trinkets from the past, with her singular artistic approach and ability to express both her own vision and the cherished memories of others. Her hope is to create for you an inspirational piece of art, both dazzling and functional, something you will treasure for years.

Dragonfly, left side detail