Surrounded by original paintings and bas-relief mosaics, long-white-bearded Michoel Muchnik was working on a 3D mosaic of Shabbat and holiday candlesticks when I arrived at his Brooklyn studio.

Joyous scenes pop up all around me. The Hebrew aleph bet comes to life, flying boats holding mitzvahs float by on a huge canvas, and a mitzvah train is chugging along one of the walls.

Born in Philadelphia in 1952, Muchnik received his artistic training at the Rhode Island School of Design. He later studied at the Rabbinical College of America, in Morristown, New Jersey.

Muchnik graciously took the time to sit with me and share some anecdotes, memories of his relationship with the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory.

Click here to read "Chasidic Artist Keeps it Lyrical and Spiritual"

Click here to view a gallery of Muchnik in his studio