Marie Picchiotti was voted Artist of the Month for October by Fountain Hills Art League members.

The Art League held its first meeting of the season Monday, Oct. 2, at the Fountain Hills Community Center.

Picchiotti, a new league member and local glass mosaic artist, took the first prize award.

Picchiotti’s large 3 ft. x 3 ft. glass mosaic tile grouted on wood features a pale woman’s face with a piercing gaze looking out directly at the viewer from a window framed by green foliage.

Picchiotti shared with league members she had initially created the piece years before when she was going through an especially challenging, tumultuous period within her life and personal relationship.

Picchiotti explained that the face was different in the original artwork and after moving to Fountain Hills four years ago and unexpectedly finding love again, she “banged out the original face” but left the rest of the mosaic as it was, remaking the face as it currently is.

Picchiotti said its unofficial title is also a reminder to her, “Shattered But Not Broken.”

Furthermore, due to the highly personal nature of the piece, Picchiotti said it will never be sold and will remain within her family collection.

Picchiotti’s winning artwork will be included in the upcoming holiday potluck to be held on Monday, Dec. 4, where artists of the month will gather and be voted on by the membership for the honor of Artist of the Year,

For more information about the Fountain Hills Art League, visit fountainhillsartleague.com.