One of the best pieces of advice I have been given is to notice what you notice. I find great inspiration in the natural world and from noticing seemingly accidental shapes and forms that develop all around me. From the curl of dried leaves to the swirl of peanut butter on bread, everything is a potential form for sculpture.

I appreciate the work of Jean Hans Arp, Henry Moore, Constantin Brancusi, Alberto Viani, and Barbara Hepworth. 

Georgia O’Keeffe opened my eyes and will forever inspire me.

I occasionally carve stone and incorporate stones into my work, but wood is my first love and will always be my material of choice. When I shape wood, I feel a connection to my childhood, to the natural world, and to our earliest ancestors. I prefer to create in a size that invites the viewer closer to observe the natural qualities of the material.

My art is primarily an expression of spiritual themes, the human condition, and the drama of the natural world. I use sharp edges very sparingly, often blending seemingly separate parts together. It is how I see the world. 

I use curves and flowing lines very generously to create a sense of peace and calm and oneness. I know it is how the world should be.

As a young child I discovered that wood was a wonderful and magical material. Our backyard trees provided me with an endless supply of sticks, and my pocketknife transformed me from a child into a creator. 

By the fourth grade I discovered woodcarving tools, and my skill slowly improved. Around 12, I saw a Georgia O’Keeffe painting on the back of a magazine and something new stirred inside of me that I could not understand. I declared at that moment that she was my favorite artist, and she still is today. I never thought of myself as an artist, though, so I never studied art in school and pursued social work instead. 

In my late 20’s I saw a large abstract sculpture, and I experienced another awakening, that a physical shape could stir my emotions. Years later, while drawing a sketch for a carving, I began to flow parts of it together, and realized my own style was emerging. I slowly began to surrender to the idea that I could be an artist, specifically a sculptor, but it still took years to say those words out loud. 

I later discovered that rotary carving tools could give me the curves and flowing effects I was trying to achieve in my work. It is just as hands-on as traditional carving tools, and requires as much if not more time, at least the way I create.

Spirituality, observing the human condition, and reflective writing are important parts of my life, so I am expanding how I use my art by developing contemplative writing workshops that incorporate my sculptures and the themes they express.

I mostly work out of a small workshop my son and I built, my daughter and I stained, thanks to a generous funding gift from my wife. They are all very supportive of me. I recently retired from my career in social work to devote more time to sculpting and other creative projects, and to spending time with my family and our rescue dog, Denver.