Michael Solomon

"It's a funny thing how my unconventional style of using sliver-shaped glass shards has evolved. It started out with racetrack patterns that gave a sense of movement with varying size and color. Over the years I became enamored with creating flowers out of the stick-like pieces. Then came the colored grout exploration with some awesome contrasts that accentuate the veins between the pieces."

Solomon's mosaics offer a Vincent Van Gogh feel with subtle shifts of color and shape. A majority of his work surrounds mirrors, which create one-of-a-kind reflective treasures.

The pieces of Solomon's mosaics are hand cut from stained glass. The process requires scoring and nipping the pieces into shard-like shapes. Over the years Solomon learned to visualize the negative space and consider that in the individual placement of the pieces, which are all glued to a wood backing. The gaps are then filled in with grout, and the borders are soldered, creating a hammered, timeless look.

Solomon is a self-taught artist. His work evolved from a hobby and became a full-time gig in 2002. He says custom work helped him evolve by pushing him out of his safe zone. Having to work with defined color palates and complement existing furnishings is both challenging and rewarding when complete. A majority of his current offerings are a direct result of previous projects.