15″ x 15″ x 2″, Available

Contact for price

smalti, dalle de verre, beach glass

2024

Returning (II) is inspired by the powerful vision for the healing of humanity found at the end of the book of Revelation.This specific passage describes the renewal of the world as a clear, life-giving river which flows from the heart of the Creator.  Rooted by the river, the tree of life grows and yields a rich, nourishing harvest of fruit, its leaves offering healing to the nations. 

Through the years, while grappling with personal challenges and at the same time becoming more aware of global suffering, this hope-filled picture has deeply moved me. Is this just a mythical dream or could this vision become a reality? 

In recent years, I felt inspired to create a series of works that represent this concept and reflect the unique elements found within – the steady, continual flow of the life-filled river, the vibrant fruit which the tree of life continually produces, and the powerful leaves which contain a tonic for each and every kind of global suffering. The multidimensional facets of mosaic and the considerable variety of materials to choose from – varied colors of smalti, uniquely textured stained glass, bold shards of dalle de verre, slivers of natural shell, weathered beach glass – lend themselves well to conveying the powerful elements from this picture.

I believe this vision isn’t a mythical dream, but instead an invitation for humanity to be agents of hope and healing by sharing whatever good things we’ve received – kindness, love, justice, empathy, dignity, a cup of water – with a world in need. 

The mosaic was created with various types of glass and natural materials. Individual leaves were created and then added to the work as individual elements.