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As an artist and engineer, Pete has always been driven to design and build new and unique objects. Through a long career as an engineer, he designed helicopters and other aircraft. Retirement has provided him the opportunity to focus his creativity in artistic directions.
Pete started on marble and mosaic tables with the objective of giving a new look to the glass-topped rattan tables that are throughout his Rhode Island shore home. Designing, then building the tables required a combination of his artistry and technical skills. The soft pastel colors and robust textures of natural stone provide Pete with the sense of bringing the outdoors inside. The Rhode Island beaches provide the inspiration for the shell, flower, Nantucket basket and other inlays that decorate his tables. His preference is to utilize the rough and natural look of tumbled marble and travertine. He therefore insures that their porous textures are not filled by the grout used to cement the individual stones together. He uses polished stones for accents as well as slate, limestone, and stained glass. This artist and engineer uses a variety of diamond saws, grinders, and polishers to achieve the precise yet understated look that he prefers. Assembling the stones is often a many-stepped process. The materials have different thickness. Inlays require detail cutting and fitting and are sometimes raised to catch light. Single and double reverse mosaic techniques are often used. The underlayment for the stones is a fiberglass composite that provides a light weight and very durable structure. Pete's works are original designs. He makes many of the table bases, but also works with new or used furniture to provide a suitable support for his tops. He is pleased to take commissions to meet the needs of individual customer. Pete lives in Charlestown, RI with his college sweetheart. He enjoys gardening, cooking, walking, and the frequent visits to his two granddaughters and their golden retriever. |