Tile Artisan Showcase

12/09/2025

12/09/2025

Melding skill and artistry for dream spaces in Charlotte, N.C.

12/09/2025

If you are looking for an inspired tile artisan to enhance or transform your bathroom or kitchen spaces in the Charlotte, N.C. area, look no further than Supreme Tile & Flooring. Owner Kyle Teeter is proud to be a Certified Tile Installer (CTI #1621). Kyle earned this credential after passing a rigorous exam that tests knowledge and expertise. It is the only industry-recognized, third-party assessment of installer skills and knowledge.

Kyle said, “I specialize in custom tile installations, including natural stone, porcelain, gauged panels, glass tile, glass panels, and detailed mosaic art, delivering expert craftsmanship and unique designs for every home project.

“Tile work is a form of art. Every project is a chance to create something unique and lasting. The Artisans Revolution in Tile training class (A.R.T.) taught me that making tile art helps me grow by pushing my creativity, sharpening my skills, and deepening my connection to the craft. Creating is how I keep learning and evolving.”

A.R.T. is an Intensive training program designed to provide experienced tile installers with information and hands-on instruction to produce and install their own hand-cut, custom tile art features. It is taught by two master craftspeople and skilled assistant trainers.

Equipped with skill, experience and artistry, Supreme Tile & Flooring promises top-quality workmanship and unbeatable value, paired with exceptional customer service, which earned them a reputation as the go-to home renovation contractor in the region.

Contact Kyle at Supreme Tile and Flooring to schedule a consultation to design your dream space in Charlotte, N.C. Phone 609.848.3190 o visit www.supremetileandflooring.com.

24/08/2025

Meet Joppe Aguirre, Owner of Cascadia Tile Company LLC in Bend, Ore., and view some of their amazing tilework.

24/08/2025

This week, we introduce you to Joppe Aguirre, Owner of Cascadia Tile Company LLC in Bend, Ore. This company has spent nearly two decades installing tile in kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms and outdoor spaces, with exceptional craftsmanship.

Joppe is intent on taking his stunning work to the next level, “With nearly 20 years of experience, the majority of my work is in residential construction, creating beautiful spaces in people's homes,” he said. “Recently, I have been exploring a more artistic side of my career by creating mosaics.”

You can read about one of Joppe’s projects that combined his luxury pool prowess with his mosaic making and installation skills. https://www.tileletter.com/tile-craftsmans-bee-mosaic-adorns-spectacular-french-villa-pool-in-oregon/.

Joppe invests in excellence. “ I believe in continued education and I am a Certified Tile Installer (CTI), with four additional Advanced Certification for Tile Installer (ACT) certifications, obtained through the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF). This means we can handle any tile project with confidence and quality.”

Joppe participated in the Artisans Revolution in Tile (A.R.T.) training in 2024 to learn how to craft hand-shaped mosaics. He said, “Participating in A.R.T. was an incredible experience. Not only was I able to learn different techniques when it comes to creating mosaics, I was also able to meet and connect with other tile setters from around the nation. I communicate regularly with the other participants and we built a community that encourages and supports each other.”

Joppe also deepened his mosaic knowledge through the techniques taught by Angie Halford Ré, an award-winning mosaic artist in Utah.

If you are in the Bend, Ore., area and are looking for exceptional craftsmanship on your residential project - and the added artistry of custom mosaic work - contact Joppe at www.cascadiatileco.com, email [email protected] or phone 541-480-8306.

17/08/2025

Nestled in a Savannah, Ga., studio, is Outlaw Mosaics, owned by Michael Sandell, a 35 year veteran of precision tile setting. Sandell “creates handcrafted mosaic art for galleries, collectors, and permanent installations,” he explained. “From striking murals to custom backsplashes, showers, and floors, each piece blends artistry with lasting craftsmanship. My work transforms spaces into timeless statements, combining fine art detail with the durability of tile for beauty that endures.”

In 2024, Sandell attended a four-day training program called Artisans Revolution in Tile (A.R.T.) that is designed to teach experienced tile setters how to design, market and create hand-shaped mosaics. He said, “The A.R.T. program not only taught me new techniques, but also gave me the confidence to tackle any style. It’s allowed me to merge 35 years of industry experience with fine art, bringing my craft into a new and inspired chapter.”

Sandell is about to embark on a mosaic art-fueled adventure. A 20” x 30” mosaic of American filmmaker, artist and musician David Lynch he created and posted online was spotted by the organizers of A Gathering of Angels, a tribute and celebration of the world of David Lynch, taking place in London September 27-28, 2025. His mosaic was accepted to be displayed at the Art Gallery that is part of this celebration. The entire A.R.T. community, his clients, friends and admirers banded together with donations to help cover the cost of shipping his art work to London and traveling there himself.

In addition, a local gallery owner is interested in exhibiting some of Sandell’s works in his gallery, and exploring hosting a class taught by Sandell.

Reach out to Sandell to discuss a custom art piece that commemorates something special in your life or to engage his practiced eye and craftsmanship on your next tile project. Visit https://outlawmosaics.art for more information or to arrange a visit. Contact Sandell by email at [email protected] or phone 561-596-3705.

18/07/2025

An amazing new opportunity has recently emerged for clients in the Portland area.

NTCA Five-Star Accredited Contractor Jeff Occhipinti , named the 2024 NTCA Residential Craftsperson of the Year, has launched Evolution Mosaics with his wife, Robin Phillips Occhipinti . This new venture stems from Jeff's journey into artistic mosaics, initially pursued during downtime from hotel tiling in 2007. He started creating mosaic inlays for vintage tables and later built his own, incorporating nature-themed designs. Robin, a professional artist, joined him in 2010, encouraging him to exhibit his work.

Their focus shifted to growing Columbia River Tile & Stone into a high-end residential installation company. However, the National Tile Contractors Association promotion of tile artisanship - and a trip to Europe - reignited their passion for artistic work. Robin views mosaics as representing "the richness of life" and a "catalyst for evolution."

After completing the Artisan Revolution in Tile (A.R.T.) training in 2024, Jeff established a dedicated mosaic studio. He's now training his team, including artistically-inclined Certified Tile Installers (CTI), in new and developed techniques. Robin, with over 30 years of experience, serves as Art Director for Evolution Mosaics. They’ve completed over 20 new mosaic art pieces recently. Two of their installers, Alex Nez and Adam Cole, will attend the 2025 A.R.T. program, where Jeff will also be a guest instructor. They eagerly anticipate the future evolution of their combined passion and skill. For more info, visit evolutionmosaics.com or call 503.655.4858.

13/07/2025

Are you in upstate New York, looking for something special for your tile project? Meet Chris Resti, Owner of Crest Tile and Mosaic, Inc.

A seasoned tile installer, he has made a deep dive into customizing his installations with tile art, tailored to your vision with his creativity, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

“I provide high-quality, custom tile work to the Rochester, NY and Finger Lakes Regions,” he said. “This includes showers, floors, backsplashes, fireplaces, and accent walls. I also provide custom mosaic inlays and wall art. Tile is Art--and I treat it as such.”

He attended the first Artisans Revolution in Tile (A.R.T.) training in 2023, learning to design and craft hand-shaped mosaics and inlays. This new skill became a calling, and he assisted with the program last year. He also helped organize and oversee demonstrations of hand-shaped mosaics in 2024 and 2025 at
, held at the TileWorks of Bucks County in Doylestown, Pa., each May.

“I never thought that I was capable of being an artist,” Chris said. “The A.R.T. Training provided me with the skills and confidence to call myself a tile artisan. The training also developed a strong network of tile artisans--many that I continue to stay in touch and collaborate with consistently.”

Crest Tile and Mosaic is an active member of the National Tile Contractors Association, the largest tile contractor association in the world, which teaches and upholds standards and best practices for excellence in tile installation. Taking his commitment to quality seriously, he is an Ambassador for NTCA in the Upstate New York region.

Visit Crest Tile and Mosaic at http://cresttileandmosaic.com, contact Chris directly at [email protected], or by phone at (585) 366-7166.

25/06/2025

Meet Salvatore A Azzolino from California-based Argo Tile and Stone.

Sal took part in the initial A.R.T. class in 2023. Sal holds a California contractors license CA1120738 and can be found at www.argotileandstone.com, [email protected], 510-714-4412 and on Instagram Facebook,TikTok, and Houzz.

Argo Tile and Stone offers full scale tile and slab fabrication and installation services to the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

“We do all prep work including mud walls and floors, foam boards, self leveling, Schluter Systems heated floors and topical waterproofing,” he said. “We install all tile and slab products from mosaic to countertops. We fabricate fireplaces, stairs, basin sinks and more. We are Argo Tile and Stone!!

“The A.R.T program gave me a brand new skill to offer my clients,” he added. “Being able to show my clientele the process of making a piece of art helps them understand the creativity and precision that goes into creating a unique mosaic to enhance the project, just for them.”

Looking for creative excellence in the San Francisco Bay area? Contact Sal and Argo Tile & Stone!

01/06/2025

Another amazing A.R.T.isan bringing his skills - and his heart - out into the world.

Crest Tile and Mosaic, Inc., pursues artisan training, CTI certification and participation in the Emerging Leaders Forum Incorporated in late 2021, I do primarily residential (direct-to-homeowners) in the Rochester, N.Y. market. After being a commercial tile setter for almost six years, I value the....

23/05/2025

Among the visionary and talented tile artists in this story are a a couple A.R.T.isans - and others who have taken a different path to creativity. Meet Trevor Hook of Evansville, Wisconsin's Hooked on Tile, and Josh Vassallo of Vassallo Tile & Stone in Wimberley, Texas. Also revel in the work shown by Cherie Bosela , Allison Eden, and Mike Mike Judge Drain Moreno . These artisans will ensure your project will sparkle with individuality!

Pet love, a ravishing new Vegas casino, hand-cut genius and pre-mounting magic spark creativity in tile setting It is our delight to present a fantastic collection of amazing tile projects in this Gallery section. The love for pets is strong with two artisans creating very different projects that ho...