Lois Mueller, a music teacher by education, began rosemaling in 1977 and teaching in 1979 at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI.  She taught there until 1988. She continues to teach at local colleges, Sons of Norway Lodges, museums, galleries and decorative painting conventions throughout the US and Canada.
In 1998, Lois was awarded the Gold Metal for Excellence in Rosemaling.  She has since authored six rosemaling instructional books and numerous articles.

“A violin is a unique canvas for an artist.  For me, being a rosemaler and a former music teacher makes it more than a canvas, but rather a way to express my feelings for both music and art.

The first violin that I painted for WYSO became a piece of artwork that was heard around the world.  After it was completed, I received a request to paint one as “The Presidents Award” for the Society of Decorative Painters.  That violin entitled, “Just Fiddlin’ Around” is now part of the Society’s permanent collection.  It was highlighted on the cover of the Sept. 2004 “Decorative Painter” where it was seen by a group of painters in Taiwan. I have now been invited to teach two classes of rosemaling in that country with a violin to be the project painted.  Not only will it be “heard” around the world, but it will be painted around the world.

I must thank WYSO for the opportunities that have come to me because of Art of Note.”

Lois Mueller, 2005