Leesburg resident Karen Nelson recently earned “Best in Show” on March 2 at the Royal Highlands Art Expo Great Hall, marking the first time she publicly shared her mosaic work.

“I can say that being part of the Royal Highlands community has inspired me,” Karen says. “The art expo has been going on for 23 years, and the program changes every few months. It’s a great group.”

Born and raised in Boston, she studied liberal arts and fashion design at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Hawaii before finding her first artistic outlet in Jackson Hole, where she created and sold handwoven baskets. The process was intense, and after one successful show, she stepped away, but the creative pull never left.

Years later, while living in Uruguay, daily walks along the beach led to something new. Karen began collecting sea glass, filling bowls in her home with pieces that caught the light. That collection eventually turned into her first mosaic work, evolving from simple driftwood hangings into more layered pieces using glass, shells and found materials.

She moved to the area in 2018 and found a steady creative outlet through the Royal Highlands art program.

Since arriving here, she has begun to incorporate painted glass, porcelain shards and vintage frames sourced from thrift and estate sales. Working on glass as a base allows her to experiment with negative space and painted grout, creating depth and movement in each piece.

Her mosaics often draw from landscapes and photos she has taken herself, with larger pieces taking months to complete.

“I guess for me, it’s kind of a therapy,” Karen says. “It keeps me busy and social while helping me use my artistic insights. I am also a caretaker and have a lot of responsibilities at home, so this gives me an outlet and allows me to create.”