What is your career and your current job title?

SB: Artist.

DM: Mosaicist and cement artist.

Describe in a sentence or two your art.

SB: I express myself in a stylized figurative form. My sculpture conveys animals' emotional characteristics; I create a similar link between the human and animal worlds through my own unique blend of naturalism and realism. My greatest strength is that I intuitively pick up and translate certain characters into a piece. They possess some spark, an undefined element of humor, character and movement that people recognize.

DM: My art derives from my love of nature and my deep connection to animals. My sculptures are realistic and expressive with a touch of the whimsical. The sculptures are steel, cement and mosaic glass. They can be placed indoors or outside in garden settings.

How long have you been working in this discipline?

SB: Nine years.

DM: I have only been working in this medium for about six months.

Why do you do it?

SB: I enjoy the mystery of creating forms and feelings from a common medium and having it bring a feeling of deep recognition to those who experience it.

DM: Mosaics are something I have been intrigued with since I was a child, and to finally have the opportunity to express myself creatively in mosaic art is a true gift.

Do you create your art with an exact message you want the viewer to receive, and if yes, what is that message?

SB: I hope that my art evokes one to touch it and experience warm, fuzzy feelings.

DM: I want the viewer to feel good when they see our work. The world is such a crazy place, it's nice to create something that brings a smile to someone's face.

Where do you want to be with your art, in terms of part-time versus full-time status, art positions, and where your works are seen?

SB: I enjoy sculpting full time and would like to see my work in your yard or public places.

DM: I don't have any particular agenda at this time, but I hope I will be able to continue making sculptures and the work will be seen and bring enjoyment to others.

What kind of special training did you take?

SB: I have worked in various media such as wood, bronze, clay and watercolor. I am a licensed contractor, which gave me the experience and knowledge of construction techniques.

DM: I have a background in many types of art, such as painting, ceramics, soft sculpture and woodwork, all of which have contributed to the work I am doing at this time.

If none, how did you learn art techniques or processes?

DM: I learned to work with cement and mosaic by doing it. Solomon has helped me tremendously with technical aspects and knowledge. I used to be a ceramic artist, which in some respects is similar to working in cement, so that has been a big help.

What's your favorite part of your endeavors?

SB: Watching people interact and caress the sculptures, especially children, who like hugging the animals and kissing the bugs.

DM: I love the glass. It's magical. All the glass tiles are made in Italy using traditional techniques. I like that we are doing something entirely innovative with very traditional materials. Both my parents come from Italian stone mason families and it feels like I am following family tradition by creating this type of work.

What's your least favorite part of your endeavors?

SB: Working with cement can be harsh on the body.

DM: It can be very demanding for me physically. Sculptures are heavy and bulky to move around, and I really couldn't do this work without Solomon's help.

How many hours a day or, if more appropriate, a week do you spend on your work?

SB: Weekly, 40 to 60 hours.

DM: It varies quite a bit.

Do you consider it hard work and could anyone do it?

SB: It is challenging to understand how to create a sound structure and work with cement in constant flux as it sets up.

DM: It is difficult to learn all the skills necessary to make a cement mosaic sculpture from start to finish. I think it has been a lifetime of artistic endeavors that has made it possible for me to do this. If someone truly wanted to learn to do this, they could, but cement can be a difficult medium to work with.

"The Artists" appears each Friday. To suggest a person to be profiled, call The Union newsroom at 273-9561.