Woodworking has been a life long vocation and avocation: working with my father in a backyard wood shop; working summers in furniture factories; earning a BS and MA in Industrial Arts with a concentration in woods; and a career in furniture production, while spending my free time reproducing antique furniture which introduced me to marquetry and some traditional carving.

The turning point came in 1990 when I happened into Tom Wolfe’s studio in Blowing Rock, NC and experienced, first hand, Tom’s style of caricature art. I immediately signed up for a class and have had a steady diet of carving classes ever since. I have been fortunate enough to work with some of the best carvers in caricature, realistic, and relief. This has come together to define my own style of caricature.

Taking classes got me involved with different clubs, shows and most importantly, people with similar interest. While in NC, I was a member of the Catawba Valley Woodcarvers in Hickory and NC Piedmont Woodcarvers in Statesville, serving as president in both clubs. Then my career dictated a move to Kansas. I joined the Great Plains Woodcarvers in Wichita and served as president for a short time before relocating to Illinois. I have since retired and moved back home to Sanford, NC and am active with the North Carolina Woodcarving Association in Raleigh, serving as co-president and show chairman.

While I have been fortunate enough to validate my progress by winning some top awards, the journey is the ultimate reward: induction into the CCA; making new friends who creatively express themselves through their art; sharing concepts through teaching and seeing people’s approval through their smiles and chuckles.