My Story

The Spark: A Wood Duck and a Mentor’s Hand

My journey began in 1985 in a 7th-grade art class. While most kids were just looking to pass the period, I was carving a wood duck and discovering a lifelong obsession. That spark was fanned into a flame by family. In 1988, my wife’s grandfather sat me down to build my first fish tank stand, teaching me that woodworking was about more than art—it was about structure and utility. In 1995, the craft became my profession. My wife’s other grandfather, Bill, brought me to Albuquerque to mentor me in his custom cabinet shop. Under his watchful eye, I earned my first commission and learned the discipline required to turn raw lumber into a livelihood.

The Evolution: From Cabinets to Fine Art

Over the last three decades, I have transitioned from the power-tool precision of a cabinet shop to the soulful, quiet work of traditional hand tools and joinery. I believe that a piece of furniture should be held together by the wood itself, not just by screws and glue. In 2020, my work took another turn when I met Fritz, a local sawyer. He showed me a piece of Walnut from his mother’s home in Washington that changed my perspective on material. I used those storied woods to build my own workbench—the very foundation where I now create every piece of furniture.

The Grandfather’s Mantra: "Never Before Seen"

The most pivotal moment of my recent career came when I learned I was going to be a grandfather. I set out to build a bassinet, but I didn't want a standard design. I spent dozens of hours scouring the internet, not for inspiration, but to ensure my design was unlike anything else in existence. That project unlocked a love for steam-bending wood and a new professional mantra: To create and share never-before-seen pieces of art.

Every new design I take on is a challenge to myself. I utilize at least one new technique in every piece, ensuring that my 40th year in the shop is just as innovative as my first. When you commission a piece from me, you aren't just getting furniture, you’re getting a one-of-a-kind exploration of what wood can do.