by marioandson | Oct 7, 2015
In route to the Marmomacc stone fair, we once again planned a few “extra” adventures before conducting our business in northern Italy. Starting in Bari, we made our way off the beaten path to the ancient city of Matera, one of the longest continually...
by marioandson | Aug 29, 2015
I had the pleasure of recently collaborating with an old childhood acquaintance and artist extraordinaire Vincent DeFelice. Vince is well known for his magnificent bronze work throughout the city, and in collections throughout the country. One of his works is...
by marioandson | Jul 11, 2015
You don’t need to see his identification. These aren’t the sheep you’re looking for. Move along, move along… Ireland doesn’t reveal it’s stone history easily. It takes some effort and a little luck to experience the fantastic beauty...
by marioandson | Mar 7, 2015
Recently, I have been preoccupied with the design of my new major sculpture, one that I figure will take about a year to complete. In doing so, I passed on submitting a piece to the last Northwest Museum of Art and Culture event, and was planning on bowing out of...
by marioandson | Jan 26, 2015
One of consumers main concerns regarding granite countertops is that they must be sealed. Competing solid surface products enjoy pointing this fact out, to instill fear into the prospective customer. Score one for the competitors because, yes, granite should be...
by marioandson | Dec 30, 2014
Stupas, monks and dogs… The first thing you notice when visiting Myanmar, besides hearing the delightful “Mingalaba” out of everyones mouth, is the unbelievable amount of golden stupas and pagodas dotting the countryside. Thousands of them. I’ve never seen so much...
by marioandson | Dec 29, 2014
Our introduction to Cambodia is by way of a tuk tuk, the regions preferred method of transport. The heat is almost unbearable, even though this is the cool season in Southeast Asia. I can’t begin to imagine what the hot season is like. The poverty of the country...
by marioandson | Dec 28, 2014
“Our first stop is in Bogotá…” Actually, our first stop isn’t Bogotá at all, and we won’t be “checking” any Colombian fields either (as suggested by Neil Peart’s drug fueled lyrics from the classic Rush song that I blatantly stole for this blogs title). We are not...
by marioandson | Dec 25, 2014
Just in time for the holidays, the stone I purchased in Italy this September is beginning to trickle in. Our staff waits in curious anticipation, as the first bundles of slabs emerge from the shipping container. Most of the time we play it safe, importing only...
by marioandson | Nov 1, 2014
If I ignore it long enough, maybe it’ll go away… I’m referring to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which has been afflicting my right hand for decades, a condition I can only attest to my previous life as a professional drummer. A few too many paradiddles started the damage...
