I graduated from the University of Texas in the early '70's with a degree in philosophy and no paying job on the horizon, so I hitchhiked from Austin to San Francisco and encountered my first art & crafts show. "Wow",...
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I graduated from the University of Texas in the early '70's with a degree in philosophy and no paying job on the horizon, so I hitchhiked from Austin to San Francisco and encountered my first art & crafts show. "Wow", I thought, "What a way to making a living, selling things you design and make yourself." Unfortunately, I had no training or skills at making anything.
I returned to Austin with the thought of going to graduate school, but got married instead and we had a beautiful daughter right away. With newly imposed responsibilities, I drifted from one uninspiring job to another. Then one day at a bookstore I happened upon a publication that showed the work of contemporary designer/makers who were creating exquisite handmade furniture in wood. I knew instantly that this was what I, too, wanted to do.
I started buying cheap tools and trying to make furniture out of a detached garage in our backyard. Soon I quit my day job and began lying about my skills to prospective clients in order to get work. I read everything I could about the art and craft of furniture making and spent late nights working in my humble work space. The rest, as they say, is history. I have been creating handmade furniture full-time for the past 30 years and continue to do so. I have wonderful clients and patrons that give me a great deal of freedom in designing the things i make for them. I am very thankful and try not to lie to them anymore about my abilities.
I believe that every creative act gives glory to God, the Source of all creativity, regardless of a person's beliefs or intentions. I hope, in some small way, the things I make also give glory to the Maker of all things.
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