Artist Statement

Fine woodworking is the
process of achieving a balance between form and function while maintaining a
high standard of craftsmanship. I strive to achieve this while adding a balance
of natural and man–made forms to create high quality contemporary art.

Each piece begins as an
unconscious fundamental idea that rises to the surface. I will think about the
piece for days, or even weeks, which I will eventually translate into fine woodworking.

I strive to make my custom wood furniture eco-friendly by using low VOC products, buying locally and using sustainable wood.

I operate a one-man shop inFort Collins,Colorado, at the foot of theRocky Mountains.

My fine woodwork is in private
collections across the country and has been shown in galleries and shows across
the West.

I enjoy working with clients in the design
process to create fine furniture and contemporary art that fits their needs.

Intarsia Tops

I utilize the ancient art of
Intarsia to create my tops. Intarsia is the creating of mosaics by laying
unique, precious and/or exotic materials into or onto a solid material. I use
it in a fine woodworking process to create contemporary art tables.

For the design, I first sketch
my idea on paper then create a scale drawing of the overall piece of fine
furniture.

I design the lay out of the
intarsia top as I make it. The process is a continuous flow of creativity. I
cut and fit the pieces like a puzzle and glue them to a solid groundwork. Then
I fill between the pieces with a hand made, eco friendly filler. I then apply
low VOC Tung oil for a finish.

The Tung oil finish is also
easy to care for; just a light coat annually is all it needs. When dusting,
never use wax or polish on this oil finish.

To create green designs, I use
sustainable lumber, both domestic and exotic. Domestic hardwood forests are
some of the most sustainably managed in the world. For the exotic lumber, I
make sure it is a species grown on a plantation. Any local wood that I use is
standing dead and harvested in a sustainable manner. I use only low VOC
adhesives, fillers and finishes.

Aspen and Glass

I start with sketches and
scale drawings of the piece I am going to make. Then I prepare the logs using
basic rustic furniture techniques.

As in the Intarsia tops, the
process is a flow of creativity. I cut and fit each piece of glass as I go. The
same goes for the steel accent pieces. I cut them and fit them to proportions I
feel is right. It takes this slow, careful process to create fine woodwork.

The logs I use are all local
and standing dead. Sustainable practices are used when harvesting them.

Exhibitions:
2003 Western Design Conference

Galleries:

2006-2011  – Stoneheart Gallery, Evergreen, CO

2003-2008  – Z Forrest Gallery,Tubac,AZ

2002 – Windwood Gallery, Minturn, CO

2002 – Main St. Gallery, Timnath, CO

2001 -Windwood Gallery, Minturn, CO

Art Shows:

2006  ArabianHorse Show,Scottsdale,AZ

2006  Downtown Denver Arts Festival, Denver, CO

2006  Homestead Art Show, Loveland, CO

2005  Arabian Horse Show,Scottsdale,AZ

2005  Western Design Conference,Cody,WY

2005  Cowboy Christmas,Las Vegas,NV

2005  July Arts Festival, Breckenridge, CO

2005  Main Street Arts Festival, Breckinridge, CO

2005  Southwest Design Conference,Santa Fe,NM

2004  Western Design Conference,Cody,WY

2003  Western Design Conference,Cody,WY

2003  Sears Trostel Woodworking Show and Competition, Fort Collins, CO

2001  Sears Trostel Woodworking Show and Competition, Fort Collins, CO

Awards:

2003 Sears Trostel Woodworking Show and Competition, Fort Collins, CO 2nd Place

Publications:

2007  “Works Inspiration Come Naturally” Denver Post

2005  “WesternDesign Conference Source Book”

2005  “SouthwestDesign Conference Source Book”

2004  “Western Design Conference Source Book”

2003  “Western Design Conference Source Book”

2003  “Woodworkers and Carvers Showcase Best”Loveland Reporter Herald

Education:

CastletonStateCollege,Castleton,VT.

Front Range Community College, Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO