Artisan

My roots are planted in deep East Texas. That's where I absorbed the fundamental values and skills of self sufficiency, along with a philosophy that regards them as a measure of personal worth. My grandfather was a dairyman, carpenter, painter, lifelong scholar and bemused observer of humanity. He was the model for the man I wanted to become. I still hope to meet his measure. He designed and built the house and every other building on the farm where my cousin Jim and I played, rehearsing adulthood. We sensed the value grownups placed on the ability to build so we built things, often unidentifiable, when holding a saw or hammer took both hands. I've worked wood from need and for pleasure my whole life since.

I found a career for thirty years as a graphic designer and teacher. But, I found food for the spirit creating utility and beauty in stained glass, wrought iron and wood. I made my first traditionally crafted furniture in the early 90's. It was simple, straightforward and functional; a side table and bookcase in the Shaker mode, made the old way with mortise, tenon and dovetail. In '94, the San Jacinto River put five feet of water in the house. When the water receded, the only intact furniture were those two pieces. True, they were marked, but they were still whole and usable with only minor restorative work. Our daughter is grown with her own family now, but she still has the side table, uses it and will not part with it. I tried!

That experience only deepened a life long affection for traditional methods and workmanship. I love the color of steel, hot from the forge and it's plastic response to the hammer. I like the snap of stained glass parting along a scored mark, and I love the look and feel and smell of wood being worked. I'm inspired by the simple beauty and practicality of Arts & Crafts, Shaker and Asian furniture, and strive for the same qualities in my own work. To me, a well designed piece made with the right wood and properly finished has such inherent character that further embellishment is a matter for cautious restraint.

I've lately become fascinated with the possibilities of contrasting natural forms and qualities of partially milled wood with formally shaped and finished settings in what I'm calling the Texas Naturals Series. Somewhat schizophrenically, other recent works have been decidedly contemporary. In either case, my commitment to traditional construction methods and craftsmanship is a constant.

Making heirloom furniture is what I do now. It's a one man shop, not a company. It's personal. I'm the one responsible for the work, and I stand behind it.