I am a local kid who grew up in New Haven, IN and left after high school to chase initials after my name. Thirty-seven years ago I married my high school sweetheart and most vocal art critic. After being away for twenty years, I moved back to the area into Huntington. I have a doctorate in geology/paleontology and specialize in marine invertebrates especially coral and how to tell if a reef is healthy and happy. Over the years, I have morphed into being a marine biologist and have spent over 35 years of researching the world’s third largest barrier reef along the east coast of Andros Island, Bahamas. I just recently semi-retired from the University of Saint Francis’ Dept. of Biology where I founded and directed the Environmental Science Programs for the past 23 years.
I have been carving for 37 years always using the Mallet and Gauge Method of subtraction art. Most of my tools are over a century old and I only carve dead wood, most of it gifts from burn piles. Art seems to run in my family; both of my daughters have degrees in art and my youngest, Claire, has four degrees in art/art history and teaches it at the college level.
Sassafras log rescued from burn pile. Done by traditional Mallet and Gauge Subtraction Carving Yes, polar bears really do this, although no one is certain why, maybe it is just for fun