One of Wimberley’s monumental Bootiful Boots, located outside the Wimberley Pharmacy, looked like it had scooted one dance floor too many.
Originally created and designed by artist Linda Schuler, the boot’s toe, set with mosaic tiles, had deteriorated. Cody, the Wimberley Pharmacy manager, went in search of Schuler but was not able to locate her. From there, she reached out to the Austin Mosaic Guild for guidance. The guild put a call out for a mosaic artist and Jo-Dee Benson took up the challenge.
According to Benson, restoring the boot took about two weeks. The process included removing the broken tiles and following a well-worked out design plan. “Thankfully the weather was gorgeous,” said Benson, who worked on it from its place in front of the pharmacy.
Benson earned a degree in art from the University of Wisconsin - Madison before going on to pursue a career in corporate marketing communications. Jo-Dee’s introduction to mosaics came in January 2022 at The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria art school where her passion for mosaics was ignited. She continues her studies at the Chicago Mosaic School and seeks out opportunities to learn from visiting artists. She is a member of the Austin Mosaic Guild, Contemporary Mosaic Art2 and the Society of American Mosaic Artists. Samples of her work can been seen on her Facebook page, Jo-Dee Benson Mosaics.
As an artist herself, Benson said, “It was important to me maintain the integrity of the original design. The top of the boot retained its original painting by Linda Schuler and my work was to restore the toe.”
“We love these whimsical expression of local artistic spirit,” said Doug Oldmixon. He is, along with Benson, co-owners of the Rock House Grove retail complex on RR12. They are currently “custodians” of the award-winning Wimberley Adoption Group, or WAG, boot located on the property.
“I’m grateful to have been able to do a small part to preserve one of Wimberley’s Bootiful Boots. It was wonderful to bring it back to life,” said Benson.
