Joe is a kayak instructor, takes frequent camping trips by kayak, and always tries to carry a camera. So far, his trusty Canon D10 Power Shot has lived up to its claim of being Joe-proof.

Capturing the light on Orcas Island

Photograph that was the basis for a mosaic Joe made in November 2012, Jones Island.

Part-time mosaic studio in Wisconsin. Joe has added to his father's collection of Italian smalti, some of which dates back to the 1950's.

Smalti comes precut and has a very unique texture and reflective quality.

Joe works primarily in sheet (stained) glass. He uses a glass cutting knife and clippers to create the requisite shapes.

Growing up fishing on lake Michigan, Joe loved the taxidermy trout and salmon found on the walls of bait shops and local taverns. He has never had a catch stuffed himself, but his mosaic fish are a tribute to that tradition. These days Joe does most of his fishing from a kayak. Here's an article he wrote about kayak fishing that appeared in Sea Kayaker Magazine.

Sketching the shape. Joe searches lumber yards and carpentry shops to source frames and substrate. Sometimes the knots and grain of the wood influence the subject selection and final image.

With the first anchoring tiles, Joe makes the decisions that determine the palette, flow and texture of the image.

The patterns are set and further elaborated.

Nearing completion, any remaining aesthetic problems become apparent. At this stage, big chunks may get ripped out and re-imagined.

Almost finished. With some images, grouting helps unify the image.

While the grout and glue dry, Joe is on to the next piece.