THE CRAFTSMAN AND ARTIST

I started my working career very young, while in high school, as a carpenter’s apprentice for a general contractor. This is where I began my passion for working with the medium of wood. I preferred the finer art of finishing, such as crown molding, chair rails, balusters, and other fine trim work.  This led to a study in furniture making. Concurrently, I studied Art all four years with my junior and senior years being AP studies at the collegiate level. 

    After graduating, I felt the call of military service. This started with 6 years in the United States Marine Corp where I served as security for Marine One and all persons utilizing the aircraft, next was 3 years in the United States Coast Guard Reserve as a maritime law enforcement officer and search, air and rescue operations, and finally 22 years in the Maryland Army National Guard as an infantryman, recruiter and diesel mechanic. 

    Concurrent with my military reserve service, I have a 20 year career in the printing industry where I was able to use many of my art skills in design, prep work and production. 

My last career was in federal service as a security officer for the Department of Defense. This career provided me with a need and ample time to pursue a hobby. Thus, I found fretwork. Fret work is very labor intensive and demands a great deal of patience. It also taxes my eyesight. This is when I realized that using my art training would be a wonderful break from the self-induced torture of fretting. The Bob Ross style of painting is my preferred technique. It is fast, landscapes (I love being in nature), provides the freedom to express my inner vision and gives my eyes the needed exercise they need. The pens and magic wands turned out to be a means to an end. Fretwork leaves waist wood that is difficult to use elsewhere. This is expensive wood sometimes. So, I decided to make something from that extra wood. 

    I use the term "fretwork master" because, on a trip to Italy in 2015, I had the honor of meeting one of the great master craftsmen in Florence. He had 50 years of experience, the first 15 was as an apprentice. He specialized in furniture and was working on a 16th century three leg table. There was only one power tool in the shop, a grinder to sharpen the plethora of hand chisels. All work was done by hand with hand tools in the original way they were created. There were two other masters there, one specialized in art frames and the other in wooden chandeliers. Each had one apprentice. He viewed my work, questioned my techniques, my training and honored me with the words “you are a master at your craft”.

   I have taken my life training and skills, started a hobby, retired from my careers and now started a business from my hobby using all these skills. If you do something you love, it’s not work. I hope I see you so I can share my passion.