“My first career was as a professional ballet dancer for 30 years. Many aspects of my theatrical background present themselves in my mosaic works.
They are often characterized by movement, energetic visual dynamics, dramatic lighting, and a high level of detail. Capturing and expressing these are the what turn me on and motivate me the most.
I seek to create a visceral experience. An energy, a feeling, a mood or inspiration. “Meaning” is left to the individual viewing my work. I do not dictate “meaning”.
I have a fascination with lighting, especially dramatic lighting. My best works have a sense of movement and drama to them; probably from my background in the theater. At my root are ideas that express and create images that are fantastical, full of wonder, noble, and heroic.
I seek to create an elevated sense of importance or majesty in the world around us; whether the subject is dramatic or sublime, broodingly dark or inspirational.
In my portraiture work I try to bring a sense of life and that individual’s character to the front, so you have a sense of being “with” that person.
I find that it is almost irresistible to me to challenge myself to see how far I can go in what can be achieved in the image. In my former career, I always gravitated toward “big production” values. I wanted grand sets, costumes, music, thunder, lightning, smoke, fog, ALL of it. Operatic or cinematic in scale; a total “reality” to be transported to and immerse myself in. I was never attracted to stripped-down minimalist type productions. So when I work on my terms, it’s often from a grander point of view where I like to achieve as much of that as possible.
I find joy in the gasp or intake of air when someone views one of my works for the first time.
I believe in beauty for beauty’s sake. I believe we need beauty for our own and society’s well-being, and creating beauty is one part of healing some of the chaos we find the world in today.
My mosaic voice is always developing and I do not seek to confine myself to one style, but rather engage in whatever style of expression is calling and intriguing me at the moment. I take pride in being versatile and exploring new ideas that present themselves as well as mastering the traditional methods and styles that are at the foundation of my work.”
My work is rooted in the classical Italian mosaic tradition. I have an affinity for antiquity, mythology and the heroic, and my natural attractions lean toward figurative renderings. Whether figurative or abstract, my work is often about fusing those ancient techniques into contemporary themes and subject matters.
Mosaic is one of the most visually arresting, beautiful and enduring artforms. Because of the labor-intensive and meticulous nature of most hand-made mosaic work; it is also a medium that is expensive. However, this investment results in legacy works that are durable and will last for several lifetimes
I work most often with natural stone, and Italian glass, primarily using ancient techniques developed in Italy before and during the Byzantine period. I find the qualities of these materials, combined with the classical methods, convey a sense of timeless strength, importance and elevation to whatever subject is rendered in this meticulous discipline.
Art has been my life’s work. I approach it with great passion, devotion and responsibility.
My mosaic voice is always developing and I do not seek to confine myself to one style, but rather engage in whatever style of expression is calling and intriguing me at the moment. My work ranges from Ancient and Byzantine reproductions to modern figurative works and occasionally abstract. I take pride in being versatile and exploring new ideas that present themselves as well as mastering the traditional methods and styles that are at the foundation of my work. My work is owned by private collectors as well as private architectural installments.
A gallery of images follows the videos below
