I was born in California. I moved to Maine when I was 14 and lived there till I joined the service. I have lived all over the US. I currently live in the Saint Petersburg area in Florida. I think I’ll stay for a while! This is a great place.

I have been creating in some form or another all of my life. Since childhood, I have been finding new ways to express my creativity. I have an incredible love for animals. Nothing brightens my day more than meeting a new four legged friend. I have never met a dog that didn’t like me. Well, there is ONE dachshund in Saint Pete that always barks at me for some reason. Just the one though.

I have been an artist for over 25 years. I have painted, drawn, sculpted, and carved. My Pet Depictions are a culmination of all of this. The plaques are carved in wood and then painted. The jewelry is sculpted first, then cast in silver. They bring together my art and love of animals.

Before I start, I like to look at the photos, and get a sense of their personality. I often look at the photos for an hour or more and study the colors, the look of the eyes, the lines in the face. My goal is to bring that animal to life in my carving, to create a piece of art that will be a lasting tribute.

When people write to me and tell me how well I captured their pet, it makes me incredibly happy. I did a plaque of a dog that had passed 5 years prior. After I finished it, I posted it on Facebook. I got 5 messages from people who immediately recognized the dog. I have a lot of dog friends on FB! It made me very proud that my carving was so recognizable, that people knew immediately who this dog was.

I put a great deal of work into each piece. I know the bond that we share with our pets. I know how special it is, and I want my work to reflect that. I want my work to evoke that emotional connection you have.

I do all the work personally, without the use of any apprentices or assistants. I have tried to have people assist me, but my standards are very high and I have not found anyone that is up to the task. Each piece takes me days to complete. The plaques take me just as long to paint as they do to carve. I do my best to match the colors of the coat and make the eyes come alive. There is a great sense of accomplishment when I am done.

My goal is to capture your animal in my work, to have it come alive, to have it evoke that bond you have, to bring a smile to your face. If I can do that, then I have reached my goal.