2016 is well under way, but I'm finally getting around to a 2015 Year in Review.
Last year started with a major surgery, so I took January and February off, which gave me an opportunity to simply sketch and play with mosaic at my own pace and to my own delight. I set myself up in the family room, propped up on pillows, surrounded by art supplies, the tv remote, and painkillers. I've always been interested in my Polish heritage, as I was particularly close to my Polish grandpa. But I've found a lot less information about the Lithuanian traditions from my grandma's homeland. During my convalescence, I happened to watch a Booze Traveler episode about Lithuania, and I was completely enchanted! As my narcotic intake lessened, I was able to take up some research from some keywords I learned in the episode, finally finding a little bit of information about the religion and mythology of the country, taking copious notes in my sketchbook.
An early sketch I had made the previous year was developed further, and when I was able, I began work on a mosaic. First, I created a small piece playing with the design style, colors and materials I had in mind:
 |
| "Fine Feathered" sold at the MAI salon in Philadelphia. |
Later, when I was able to be upright for longer periods, I spent 10 weeks completing a mosaic in a style that is rooted in folk art, yet very much my own.
 |
| 32.5" x 23.5", Available for sale! |
As soon as I was recovered, I was commissioned to fabricate a stone floormat for a L'Occitane in Banff, Alberta.
 |
| This is the floor, tile taped on mesh, ready to install. |
In April, I attended the annual Society of American Mosaic Artists conference in Philadelphia. It was a great trip, full of workshops and presentations that inspired me, and allowed me to immerse myself in total mosaic geekery with hundreds of others from the U.S. and beyond. Unfortunately, I became very ill during the trip, but it didn't stop me from finally visiting the amazing Magic Gardens created by the legendary artist Isaiah Zagar.
 |
| This is just one little view of a complex of rooms and a huge courtyard, not to mention many of the areas buildings. |
My next project was another lavender farm mural for a L'occitane shop in the international terminal of the Dallas Fort Worth airport.
 |
| I was not able to get a shot of the installed mural, but this is how it looked assembled on my floor. It was about 15' x 4.5'. |
In August, I completed a smaller project, embelleshing stair risers into and out of the courtyard of a private home.
 |
| The same home has a much larger set of stair risers down to their waterfront, completed in 2011. |
Finally, I was commissioned to fabricate my largest mosaic to date for a shopping plaza in Walnut Creek, CA. Michael Kruzich, an accomplished mosaic artist from San Francisco, graciously helped me with the challenging installation in November 2015.
That wraps up my 2015. I am currently taking commissions for March 2016 and beyond. Happy New Year to all of you!
