Next up in our series of stories from SAMA Members, Volunteers, and the Board of Trustees, we have SAMA BOT Treasurer Julie Dilling, who shares an intimate take on her creative process and SAMA’s impact on it.
SAMA has been more than just a stepping stone in my art career—it’s been a source of inspiration, connection, and growth. Through it, I’ve not only developed as an artist but also formed lasting friendships that have deeply enriched my creative life.
Mosaic has been part of my story since childhood. My mother created mosaics in the 1950s, and I was captivated by the way tiny pieces could come together to form something whole and meaningful. That early wonder never left me. In college, I pursued fine art photography, often cutting up my photos and piecing them back together—unknowingly retracing my steps back to mosaic.
My process is intuitive and rooted in emotion. I work organically, allowing each piece to unfold naturally. My art is mostly nonobjective, inspired by textures, patterns, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. I create fabric-like, three-dimensional works that echo the warmth and memory of old family quilts—works that are now gently shifting into abstracted landscapes.
To me, mosaics are more than art—they are memory, permanence, and transformation. Each piece is a reflection of what endures: the stories we carry, the beauty we find, and the connections we make along the way.
Sincerely,
Julie Dilling, SAMA Treasurer
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- Julie Dilling, Sound of Silence, 2019
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- Julie Dilling, The Beginning, 2017, Smalti
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- “Sew What” by Julie Dilling
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- SAMA Vice President and RBM Scholarship Chair, Julie Dilling discussing Robin Brett Mosaic Scholarship Program at the 2015 General Meeting
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- Julie Dilling wins Antonella Gallenda
As we continue to celebrate SAMA’s anniversary, we would love to share your story of connection, inspiration, education, revelation, motivation as it relates to SAMA’s role in your creative life, practice or business. Email: Info@americanmosaics.org and add “My SAMA Story” in the subject line. Add an image or two and we will add to our series here in your inbox and on SAMA’s website.