Cameron Ocasio Unveils ‘RISE’, His Most Ambitious Mosaic
New work blends Italian marble borders, porcelain tiles, hand-colored stones and gold leaf
Image: Instagram
New Canvas, ‘rise’
Cameron Ocasio, who divides his time between acting, photography and art, has unveiled his latest mosaic sculpture titled RISE. Sharing the completed piece on Instagram, the actor-turned-artist called it “my favorite piece I have made so far,” marking a milestone in his growing reputation as a multidisciplinary creative.
Experimenting With Materials
Visually, RISE portrays a cluster of balloons ascending against a backdrop of handcrafted tiles and stone. The top and bottom borders are framed in genuine White Carrara marble imported from Italy, while the central field is filled with Mexican porcelain tiles that provide crisp geometric lines. One of the “balloons” is highlighted with genuine 24 karat gold leaf, reflecting sunlight and inviting viewers to follow its upward path. Interspersed throughout the design are hand-colored river rocks — sourced from a local stream and transformed in Ocasio’s studio — paired with broken cups and plates that echo the piece’s theme of transformation.
“This one was tricky because I experimented with different materials that required different handling and prep,” Ocasio wrote, underscoring the technical rigor behind his newest creation.
Artistic Roots And Family Support
RISE builds on a series of personal experiments shared over the past year. In a January post (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ2ah3KuHiG/), he teased his mosaic ambitions: “I don’t know if you guys know this about me, but I am also a mosaic artist,” alongside images of smaller-scale patterns inviting fans to share their interpretations.
Behind the scenes, Ocasio has credited his father with helping to bring larger visions to life. Earlier this spring (https://www.instagram.com/p/DIcq1rJOlv4/), he posted photos of a custom white wall and hand-cut marble flooring — the very scaffolding for RISE — adding, “Special thanks to my dad for helping me ❤️.”
From Screen To Studio
Many will recognize Ocasio from Sony’s _I Love You, Beth Cooper_ and Amazon Prime Video’s _Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street_, but off-screen he has quietly cultivated a second career in visual art. His Instagram feed, now boasting more than 200,000 followers, serves as an ongoing portfolio where each post charts the next creative leap.
As contemporary artists revisit ancient crafts, mosaics have enjoyed a quiet resurgence. Ocasio’s RISE stands out for its blend of classical materials and personal storytelling: the gilded balloon nods to time-honored gilding techniques, while repurposed porcelain and stone speak to sustainable studio practices.
Looking Ahead In Gallery Spaces
While RISE remains a home-studio showcase for now, Ocasio has hinted at plans to present his work publicly. He’s in talks with a local arts collective about an unveiling event later this year — one that may include interactive stations where visitors can handle materials and view time-lapse footage of the piece’s assembly.
What’s Next For Ocasio?
After months in the studio, RISE feels less like an endpoint and more like a springboard. In recent Instagram Stories, he teased a secret project that promises to merge his photography with mosaic techniques. “The day I can finally share this with you all will be so exciting,” he wrote, suggesting that the ascent charted in RISE is far from over.
Fans can follow his journey at @cameron_ocasio, where the next chapter of his artistic evolution is already taking shape.
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