FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction is Now Open ↗

New directions

Words: Jennifer MorrellBrian 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.

“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, the February issue 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!
 0
Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

Zach Everett
Technical Talks
Read More
The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Curtis Hoover
Resources
Read More
Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Steve Blye
Technical Talks
Read More
Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Linda Potter
Technical Talks
Read More