February 2016: From the Editor

Words: Dan KamysFebruary 2016

From the Editor

New Directions

Jennifer MorrellJennifer Morrell , Editor - jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com

Brian Estill is a brick and stone mason from Louisville, Ky. Like many in the profession, Estill was laid off from his masonry company in the winter of 2008. “America’s biggest economic meltdown had finally reached the Ohio River shores of my beautiful city,” Estill says. “Since it was wintertime, I didn’t mind so much. I thought I would just collect my unemployment check until the spring, when work would pick back up. Only, it didn’t.” In summer 2009, Estill tried desperately to find a job. But with a skillset honed for masonry and a deep passion for the artistic trade, it proved difficult. His marriage ended in divorce, and he found himself sleeping on the sofa of one relative after another. [caption id="attachment_12010" align="alignright" width="270"]Rocks of Fort Knox Shown is “Rocks of Fort Knox,” created by Brian Estill.[/caption] “It was at my cousin’s house that I decided to use some of my unemployment money and buy some wood, tile adhesive, marble and granite tile, and a painter’s trowel, and get to work building the things I have always wanted to create, but rarely did in all my years in masonry,” Estill says. Today, Brian Estill is working as a “masonry mosaic artist,” enjoying the exploration of masonry as a literal art form. The above image of Estill’s work of art is entitled “Rocks of Fort Knox.” The mosaic is built from rocks he collected while working at Fort Knox in 2010. If you look closely at the piece, you’ll see a car in the center. Estill has an interesting story behind the car, which you can learn by contacting him directly at brian.estill@gmail.com. You can see more examples of his work on YouTube by searching Estill Masonry Artworks. On a different note, this is my last issue of Masonry Magazine. I have enjoyed my more than eight years as editor of this publication. The masonry industry is full of smart, talented people whom I am privileged to have met. I wish all in the masonry world the very best!
Designing Masonry Openings Without Compromising Aesthetics
July 2026

One of masonry's greatest strengths is its ability to create visually striking architecture. From arches and deep reveals to decorative brick detailing, masonry provides texture, depth, and character that continue to inspire architects today. As buildin

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More
Restoring the Breath of the Building: The Life-Saving Science Behind Historic Masonry Repairs
July 2026

When I first set out to become a historic preservation and restoration mason, I imagined that most of my trade would involve repairing the effects of old age. Instead, 99 percent of my work is attempting to stabilize and reverse damage caused by recent an

Technical Talks
Read More
Laying the Foundation for the Future: Workforce Development at the Arizona Masonry Council
July 2026

For generations, masonry has been built on a simple but powerful principle: knowledge passed from one set of hands to the next. In Arizona, the Arizona Masonry Council (AMC) is working to ensure that tradition continues by investing in one of the industr

Dawn Rogers
Industry News
Read More
Preserving Masonry Aesthetics with Concealed Lintel Systems
July 2026

Masonry has long been valued for its ability to create buildings with character, permanence, and visual appeal. Features such as arches, deep reveals, corbelling, and decorative brickwork continue to be popular design elements in modern architecture. Howe

Erica Oliveraz
MAP Partner
Read More