ABOUT ME
I live in a wonderful area of Grand Rapids, Michigan. My typical day is “organic”. I wake up and plan from there. I have the freedom to move around as I please. I am fortunate to have traveled widely. During that time I’ve met some wonderful friends who remain so to this day. I am a restorer of old homes and a builder of Fine Furniture.
PHILOSOPHY
I am a wanderer in this journey of life. I come from a traditional Christian background. I still hold to those roots. But I love the practice of exploring other faiths. There is so much to learn. I know my core but feel I have no right to judge any other beliefs or philosophies.
INTERESTS
Oddly enough I love the Michigan winter. As I write this it is 14F outside. The secret is to get out into the weather and walk, snowshoe, ski, etc. There is nothing quite so beautiful as the Lake Michigan shoreline winter or summer. I love to travel. This coming summer I hope to go to Chile. About 15 years ago I roamed through Europe without an agenda. It was wonderful! More recently I spent a month in Romania building a sculpture for the hospital in Cluj. From that experience I walk away with life long friends and a love for the culture and people of that country. Grand Rapids has a remarkable historic district in which I’ve worked most of my adult life restoring beautiful homes. I’m a sculptor by training and trade. Over the years I’ve morphed into a furniture builder. I create one of a kind pieces that are provocative and demanding. I love adventure. The more physical the better. I suppose once you’ve experienced and adrenalin rush you become hooked. I’ve tried hang gliding in Alaska. I’ve soared through the jungles of Costa Rica on a zip line high above the forest floor while Howler Monkeys screamed at me from the surrounding trees. I’ve floated 1500 feet above the ground in a hot air balloon. Yet nothing is as nice as sipping a cup of coffee or sharing dinner with a group of people who share common interests or love the adventure of life.
MUSIC, MOVIES & BOOKS
I have a broad interest here. I love foreign films but enjoy a good adventure film (especially IMAX 3D). I love to read (mostly fiction) and have a well stocked library. My music, again, is eclectic. When I work I love Tom Waits for the energy it gives me. But when I’m at the drafting table planning a new project I feel most inspired by opera (female vocalists especially French or Italian compositions).
EDUCATION
I received my MFA in sculpture from Western Michigan University in 1983. During the 80’s and 90’s I exhibited widely. Highlights include 2 solo shows at the Klein Gallery in Chicago, “The Ritual Vessel” exhibit in New York, a silver medal at the “First International Juried Art Exhibit” (with over 20,000 entrants), as well as numerous local shows and competitions. I have several permanent outdoor sculptures in Canada, the US and Romania (a large multi-media installation at the City Hospital in Cluj, Transylvania). I was Artist in Residence at the UICA in the late 80’s and taught part time at several local colleges and universities. During the past 15 years I’ve dedicated myself to creating furniture that is intense both emotionally and physically. Typically, a piece will take as many as 1000 hours to construct.