Being raised along the banks of the Snake River in Southern Idaho, I have spent the greater part of my life on, or under the water. The time spent on dry land is filled with a passion for art, especially drawing and sculpture.

I studied human figure drawing and majored in sculpture at BYU Idaho in 1979-80.   However, was unable to apply that training until many years later when I began carving fish and birds.  It just sort of evolved from the first really hideous and crude, yet inspired attempt fourteen years ago with a pine two by four, chisel, hammer, and rasp. It has all been a self-taught experience with the exception of my earlier college art background. I've been carving professionally for eleven years now, and am represented in galleries throughout the USA.

My preferred medium for fish is an eastern hardwood called basswood, well suited for carving.  My favorite wood to use for birds is tupelo.  It's a Southern hardwood that is very smooth and holds feather detail wonderfully.  Tools used are everything from a band saw and belt sander, to a delicate, precise surgical dental power instrument fitted with an assortment of diamond and ruby bits. I paint with acrylics applied in many thin transparent layers or washes, using both air and sable bristle brushes.  Right down to each individual scale.  Every step from designing, planning and research, to completed sculpture is done entirely by myself.  There are sometimes three or more hours of research for each hour spent carving.  I create everything on each piece from wood, including the rocks and habitat, with the exception of metal structural connections, which I use various metal working tools to create, and hand painted glass eyes in some of the larger birds only.  It can take anywhere from a week to a year to complete a piece.  Each one is an original, one of a kind work.

God has given me the talent, vision, and ability to express my deep connection with, and love for the natural world that surrounds us all. My greatest joy and feeling of accomplishment comes with capturing these magical split seconds in time and sharing this love and gentle excitement of all things wild with everyone.