Although the seed was probably planted when I started carving my initials into trees as a kid with my first pen knife, I have been more seriously carving wood since the late 70’s, around the time I graduated from college as a biology major. With its amazing varieties, and limitless specimens of color, grain, and figuring, wood has always attracted me as a media for artistic expression. Most of my work is in relief, which involves carving in differing degrees of depth, into boards or panels of varying thickness. I like working with many different species but might claim walnut and mahogany as my top choices because of their carving characteristics and rich, warm colors. Much of my subject matter is related to my love of the sea and nautical themes, although there are many other inspirations that have produced works in the human form and nature in general. Occasionally I will incorporate classical decorative motifs and design elements in my compositions, and I also enjoy the challenge of creating something that offers a statement. I use a wide variety of traditional hand carving tools which produce the type of clean cuts that I feel are so necessary to produce the optimal light-reflecting characteristics of the wood. Virtually all my work is finished naturally with linseed oil and wax, and without pigment or paint so that the initial artwork contributed by Mother Nature can be fully appreciated. Hunting for those special pieces of wood that can become a carving is great fun, and I know that there will always be another one to be found for my next idea. While I may some day try to spend more time with a paint brush and paint, for right now I am enjoying using surfaced wood for my canvas and the pleasure of pushing a finely sharpened steel gouge through wood.