As a child, I liked to draw faces, people, etcetera. In high school, I took Industrial Arts as an option for four years at Malvern Collegiate Institute. The shop teacher was a gruff old guy but he introduced me to wood working and wood turning. Mom still has a couple of the bowls that I made back then. Over the years, I have acquired a plethora of wood working tools and in the last two years, some stone carving tools.

Since retiring, I have taken a number of artistic related courses, mainly in Haliburton at their summer School of Fine Arts, usually with my wife Ruth and her friends. The courses have ranged from Native art painting with David Johnson, a gourd carving course with Ed and Darrenne McAuley and, in the past two years, stone carving with Doug Stephens. Other courses have included making native drums and rattles. Both Ruth and I have an interest in Native art and lore here in Canada and the southwestern United States. This is reflected in the gourd art. My interest in trees and wood has been ongoing since the late 1980s when I joined the International Wood Collector's Society. I presently have about 600 wood samples from around the world.

Taking the stone carving course with Doug released a long time desire to carve items from the raw materials. I was always intimidated by this process and my lack of self-confidence held me back from trying it. Since taking Doug's course, I've carved a number of items from basswood and cedar, mostly Santas and wood spirit figures. We've had friends in art community for a number of years and have always appreciated their talents and creativity.

As a late blooming boomer, I guess I feel a need to fulfill the ability to create something with my hands. Part of my journey through this life I guess. Encouraged by comments on my recent carvings by friends, family and strangers, I've decided to start a small business to create and sell my carvings. They will be mostly in wood, stone and gourds for now, but may branch out into other media. I look forward to this new adventure.