Describing myself objectively, I can say I’m nothing more than a blue-collar worker following the footsteps of my father before me. My dad worked hard, often through back breaking, physical labor to build a better future for his family and community. I chose a less physically challenging path, working with technology to serve the same objective, but I never lost sight of what my forefathers spent their lives trying to achieve. I try to carry forward the best parts of their traditions and learn from both their triumphs and tragedies.
We live in an age where we have the luxury of creating our own identity. I have chosen to call myself an Artist and Craftsman. These are, at least, titles I aspire to even if not always fully deserved. My mother was an artist by the same loose definition and my father was a craftsman. Together they showed me each of us have a unique way of seeing our world, and that if we try, we can share our perspective with others through art. Sometimes, when everything aligns just right, this exchange is magical.
When I was a boy, I told my parents I wanted to be an “Everythinger.” I wanted to use all the Crayolas in the box and color outside the lines. I was simply too self-indulgent to commit to anything too structured or specific. True to form, a half Century later, I’m the quintessential Jack of all Trades, good at most things, but master of none. As I grow older, I try to focus on honing the skills that allow me to express myself artistically. While not lucrative financially, these are the things that ultimately bring me the most joy.
