Years later, after my sons were grown, I found myself with an unexpected abundance

of time—and a pull toward something that had quietly waited in the background of my life.

That search led me to a transformative 2002 workshop with Martin Cheek in Italy and

Greece. It was my first time seeing ancient mosaics in person, surrounded by fellow

mosaic lovers, completely immersed in the medium. That experience changed everything.

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Since then, I’ve remained inspired by the long, rich history of mosaics and by the tactile joy of working with natural stone, slate, and Italian glass (smalti).

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In 2008, I launched an international online community for mosaic artists: Contemporary Mosaic Art (CMA). It was born from simple conversations with artists who loved mosaics but felt isolated. CMA quickly grew into a vibrant network connecting artists around the world.

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That same year, Italian artist Giulio Menossi joined CMA. I later had the privilege of

meeting him in Udine, Italy, where we collaborated to develop his mosaic workshops—

soon attracting students globally, eager to learn his remarkable techniques.

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In 2012, I helped curate the first mosaic exhibition in Clauiano, Italy, featuring artists

from the CMA community. The exhibitions that followed reflected the same spirit of

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Two years later, I co-organized the first CMA Summit in Ashland, Oregon, alongside John Sollinger (“Solly”) and others. We hosted three wonderful years of summits, ending in 2016, each one filled with learning, laughter, and lasting friendships.

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Alongside community-building, I’ve co-authored several mosaic publications:

• Mosaic Fine Art Portraits and Mosaic Fine Art Abstracts (2011, with Irit Levy) — featuring interviews and gallery works from leading mosaic artists.

• Edible Bits & Pleasing Pieces (2014, with Jacqueline Iskander) — a creative cookbook pairing recipes with mosaic art from around the world.​

 

In 2019, CMA went quiet—but in 2020, at the encouragement of friends Patty Chapman, John Sollinger, and Bonnie Fitzgerald, I reopened it during the isolation of COVID. Thus began CMA2, a renewed and thriving version of the original community. In 2024, I stepped down as President, proud to see Dawn Mendelson continue to guide CMA2 with the same passion and vision.

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Where I Am Now

Today, my creative focus has returned home—to the worktable, where I’m exploring small, earthy mosaics made from stone, marble, slate, and found materials. My art continues to evolve, balancing the ancient and the modern, the polished and the raw.

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Soon, I’ll begin offering selected works for sale here on my website.  If you would like to receive my "occasional blog"" click here.

Each mosaic tells part of my story—a lifelong journey of creating, connecting, and celebrating the enduring art of tesserae.