January, 2026 CAVARTS Spotlight Feature #1: Jay Mauch
This Navy Veteran and retired USPS technician has found creativity later in life while caring for his wife and exploring new passions like guitar and invention. Art has become a meaningful outlet. One that brings focus, calm, and a way to turn ideas into reality. His piece, Memorializing After Death, was created as a tribute to a beloved family dog, blending creativity with remembrance. 🎨
Name:
Jay Mauch
Branch of Service:
Navy
About:
Retired USPS technician. Caregiver for wife. Learning to play the guitars I have collected. Building on invention ideas I’ve had for decades while earning a living and not having time to do much with them.
Title of Piece:
Memorializing after death
Medium of Piece:
Paint
Piece:
Meaning behind piece:
Wife wanted a statue of our late Australian cattle dog. The closest she could find was a blue healer online.
I bought it to see if I could transfer his photo to the healer.
What inspires you to create art?:
Self control and satisfaction
What part of your life has benefited the most from your creative pursuits?:
Sanity
Is it important for you to challenge yourself in your art? Tell us why or why not!:
Yes. I have this need to get ideas out of my head and into reality.
What is your process or ritual to get your creativity flowing?:
Get into my zen mode.
What does CAVARTS mean to you?:
Motivation
What words of inspiration do you have for your fellow CAVARTists?:
Follow your good dreams to suppress your nightmares.
