It is exciting learning and perfecting techniques to better my craft. When you learn new skills, one adds to their personal manual, mental, and emotional tool box. One also multiplies their opportunity for self-fulfillment. You learn to think in new ways. You make creative progress, and the benefits can only be positive.  Handwork is a powerful form of mental therapy, less expensive than a Psychiatrist, more efficient than medication, and a lot less risky than drugs or alcohol.

After retirement from the automotive repair business and shop owner as well for 29 years I knew I had to keep doing  something creative with my hands so wood working and turning seemed a natural transition. 

I started taking wood working classes at Cerritos College and soon after joined the Orange County Woodworkers Club. In October of 2004 I participated in a 3 day workshop with Curt Theobold at his shop in Pine Bluff, WY. After that, through e-mails, pictures, and phone calls, I'd like to think we've become pretty good friends. In August of 2005 Curt asked me to assist him in teaching a one week segmented /polychromatic bowl class at the Mark Adams School of Woodworking in Indianapolis, IN. That I did.

At the 2003 AAW Symposium in Pasadena I learned a lot about getting started turning alabaster stone from Max Krimmel.   After making several carbide tipped tools and lots of experimenting, I am now turning out about an equal amount of alabaster stone designs as well as wood turnings. Max has pictures of some of my alabaster work in his website guest gallery.

In Sept. of 2007 I attended a 3 day hands on workshop with David Ellsworth at his shop in Quakertown, Pa. That was also a great experience. He is truly an artist and craftsman. His home is like a mini-museum with lots of his work, his wife's work, (Beading) and many of his artist friends work in his collection and on display.  This has been a great resource in getting it done right and knowing about the latest state of the art in tools and techniques.

At this point, some of my turnings end up in the homes or businesses of my relatives and friends. Other pieces are selling through some of the venues listed below. Sometimes clients/buyers seek me out through word of mouth. My long-term goal is to make contacts with galleries or individuals for small quantity, high quality commission work.