I was born in 1960 in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, just across the Arkansas / Missouri border from Thayer,Missouri, where I lived my first 26 years. I always had an interest in woodworking, drawing, and Native American culture. Woodcarving has given me a way to combine these three passions and use them in a way I never thought possible.
     I was introduced to woodcarving in 1991 by a friend of mine who at the time was living in Wyoming. He sent me a beginner's set of palm-handled carving tools, a few pieces of cottonwood bark, and a book by Harold Enlow, called "Carving Faces in Driftwood". It didn't take long before I was hooked.
     I have been a professional woodcarver since 1993 when I began working as the resident carver at the Engler Block in Branson, Missouri. During my three years there I was blessed to be exposed to many of the finest woodcarvers in the country. My duties at the Engler Block helped me to gain experience in many types of woodcarving from caricatures to relief carving, but it was in Native American figures that I found my passion.
     Since those early days I have carved many faces and figures for individuals and shops throughout the midwest. I am an annual instructor at the Silver Dollar City Seminars held each March, the Woodcarving Rendezvous, and the War Eagle Seminars, both of which are held in June of each year. I also conduct a monthly seminar in my home studio, as well as several seminars for various carving clubs and other organizations throughout the year.
     I feel tremendously blessed to be given the ability and opportunity to pursue my passion as my profession. My driving ambition is to make each carving better than the previous one.
    Besides it sure beats working!

     These two fine looking people are my wife Debbie, and our son Zac. The main reason I can do what I do is by having the support and encouragement that they enthusiastically give.
     Debbie is the manager at the Fudgery located in the Imax entertainment complex here in Branson. She also is quite a singer, performing in several shows per year.
     Zac is our 9 year old. His interests are trick bicycle riding, video games(of course), and various types of art. He has been carving since he was 4 years old.