BIG BANG MOSAICS HIGHLIGHTS

'BIG BANG MOSAICS HIGHLIGHTS' is a page I created for first time viewers to see my work.
I have selected these for a variety of reasons: to show my range of styles, types of projects I have been involved in, and personal favorites. Click on an image to link to more information, it may be necessary to scroll down on a page to find the exact linked image.

Purely Abstract
Pavment Fractals, 32"w x 18"h
I finally had the opportunity earlier this year to create some abstract personal work. I love the process. It involves much adding and subtracting to get it 'right', and then the grout comes along and adds a new look, changing it again. I like to try new things in my work; in this case it was the use of a wider variety of materials and a more open-ended approach. Somewhat to my surprise, the challenges of working abstractly were very satisfying.
Stochastic Processes, 36"w x 24" h
To Every Thing There is a Season, 33"w x 25" h

Landscapes
Through the Seasons, UMASS Medical Center commission, Worcester, Massachusetts, 60"w x 36"h
Landscapes and cityscapes in mosaic can be strict renderings of photographs. My preference, however, is to allow the medium to suggest ways of interpreting the landscape in a new fresh way. An example of this is in 'End of Summer', (left) in the grass of the middle ground. Here I 'stacked' the tile in vertical rows but had the color shift horizontally. (I often warn students against laying tile like this, but breaking the rules can have interesting results.)
End of Summer, for sale, 24"w x 36" h
Rockport, private residence, commission, Massachusetts 48"w x 38" h
Trilogy Triptych, Trilogy Apartments commission, Brookline, Massachusetts 72"w x 60"h
Three Arch Bay, California, private residence, commission, Massachusetts, 39"w x 28" h

Emphasis on FUN!
Cooking, private residence. commission, Massachusetts, 120" w x 12" h

These mosaics are chosen for their bright colors, more graphic appeal and sense of fun. When I look at them I am reminded of how I enjoy the challenge of doing just about ANY subject in mosaic.
Colorful Fireplace Surround, private residence, commission, West Virginia, 54" w x 38"h
Bbbbbarbies!!! private collection, Massachusetts, 33"w x 15"h
Good Humor, private collection, Massachusetts, 20"w x 30"h
Voyage, Children's Hospital commission, Boston, Massachusetts 72"w x 60"h
Shoe fireplace, private residence, commission, California, 54" w x 38" h

Nature Mosaics

Spawning Salmon, for sale, 54" w x 40" h
Nature mosaics are a favorite theme of mine. I am influenced by where I live in rural western Massachusetts, and just as a writer writes what he or she knows, so I find myself continually designing mosaics with nature as my source of inspiration. I strive to get away from strict representation and instead create works that have a sense of atmosphere and movement.
Migration II, corporate collection, New York 36"h x 36"w
Swimming Turtles, for sale, 40" x 30"

Chesapeake Bay Wetland, private residence commission, Maryland, 72" diameter

Portraits

Portraits are challenging as they must capture the essence of the person or pet or else there is no point in making them. I spend a great deal of time making many small adjustments until I am satisfied I have accomplished this.
Taj Mahal, for sale, 19" x 19"
Annabel, private residence, commission, Massachusetts, 11" x 11"
Jess's cat, private residence, commission, Massachusetts, 12"w x 9" h

Specifically Birds
Redstart, Pine Cones and Oak Leaves, private residence, commission, South Dakota, 26"w x 14"h
Bobolinks, private residence, commission Massachusetts, 9"w x12"h
My favorite subject of all, if I had to choose, would be birds. I love their delicate stature, their industry and artistry as evidenced by their nests, their eager liveliness. I never tire of trying to capture them in mosaic.
Loon, private collection, Maine, 28"w x 22"h
Ovenbird, private collection, Massachusetts 8" h x 12"w
Barred Owl, for sale, 36"h x 24"w
7 Warblers, private residence, commission, Maine, 24"w x 36"h

'Tree of Life' Mosaics
'Igniting a Passion for Learning', Colvin Hall Honors College public art commission, University of Maine, 54" w x 39" h
I imagine some day one could run out of different ways to depict the tree of life but I doubt it. My versions to date include my most recent, 'Igniting a Passion for Learning', for the University of Maine Honors College (above); a folk art style, inspired by early American needlework (right);a curly limbed tree, thank you Gustav Klimt (below); and a blue tree inspired by the artwork of Marc Chagall (below to right).

Tree of Life, private residence, commission, Massachusetts 24" w x 36" h
Tree of Life, private residence, commission, New Hampshire, 54" w x 24" h
Tree of Life, private residence, commission, New Jersey, 54" w x 36" h