Artist Spotlight: Eloise & Steve Mote of EloiseART at Rotary Botanical Gardens

This month, we’re excited to shine a light on Eloise and Steve Mote, the creative team behind EloiseART and longtime contributors to the Cottage Garden Gallery Gift Shop here at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin. Their work has been a visitor favorite since 2022, and if you’ve browsed the shop recently, you’ve likely spotted their silver spoon rings, mini paintings, colorful yard flowers, and detailed jewelry mosaics.

How it Started

Eloise and Steve first joined our artist community thanks to a connection at Boerner Botanical Gardens. After sending a few photos of their work, they were on the road to Janesville with their first collection in hand. They’ve been part of the Gift Shop family ever since.

Their Creative World

The couple has been together since high school, and creating art is just one of the ways they stay connected. They’re always on the hunt for secondhand treasures, old silver, vintage glass, and interesting pieces that can become something new. You’ll find them popping into thrift stores across the Midwest, and sometimes even roadside antique shops on vacation.

That love of exploring shows up in their pieces. Every ring, flower, or mosaic carries a bit of history. They’re passionate about upcycling and preserving materials that might otherwise be lost. It’s a simple philosophy: good things deserve another life.

What You’ll Find in the Cottage Garden Gallery

EloiseART brings a wide variety of handcrafted items to the Gift Shop, with new pieces delivered throughout the year. For December, they even made a special trip from Sheboygan to drop off early holiday items, mini paintings, seasonal rings, and a few festive handmade surprises.

If you love pieces that blend craftsmanship and sustainability, you’ll enjoy their collection.

Fun Fact

Ask them about their work, seriously. Eloise and Steve love sharing the stories behind their art, the materials they use, and the adventure of finding just the right spoon, bead, or piece of glass.

Learn More About EloiseART at Rotary Botanical Gardens

You can explore more of their work on their website:https://www.eloiseartpresentscardinalsandhearts.com/

Stop by the Cottage Garden Gallery Gift Shop on your next visit to Rotary Botanical Gardens and see their pieces in person. Each one brings a little charm, a little history, and a whole lot of heart.