Since early childhood I have had a great love and appreciation for wild animals and the natural world. To be closer to nature and learn everything I could about it I completed a Bachelor’s in Science degree in Zoology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1983. Since that time I have worked as a wildlife biologist for various government and non-government organizations, and for the past 21 years as a National Wildlife Refuge Manager for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. My work has been my inspiration, my medium.

My second love has always been creating wildlife art. Until 23 years ago. my art medium was watercolors, pen and pencil, and charcoal when I discovered wood. Since that time I have competed and done well in major wildfowl carving competitions such as the Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition in Ocean City, Maryland, the Pacific Southwest Wildfowl Arts show in San Diego, CA, and the Pacific Flyway Decoy Association show in Sacramento, CA. In Montana I have competed and done well in the Montana Woodcarvers Association in Billings and the Western Montana Woodcarvers Show in Missoula. Much of my work is in private collections throughout the United States.

My bird carvings are all original pieces of art. I carve the birds out of tupelo gum wood, create the feathers by using a wood burning tool, use glass eyes, and I make the legs and feet out of brass and/or copper tubing. Any habitat accompanying the carving is also all hand made.

My desire to create life-like birds is not to create a perfect replica, but to capture and do justice to the bird’s true beauty, size, colors, and uniqueness. Secondly, I carve bird to bring people closer to nature and possibly instill in them an appreciation for birds and other wildlife. I want people to be amazed by the bird and not the carving. Finally, I carve because I want to, because I love to, and for no other reason.