When I started my journey into being an artist/craftsman in 1972, I had a landline, library access, and a college degree in Sociology and forestry. My only financial resources were money from painting houses, which was how I paid for college. Oh, and I still had my old VW bus.

But most importantly, I had me. I have always been strong-willed, with what is today referred to as grit.

As my skills developed, I began to receive commissions from well-off people. This was quite a change from the environment I grew up in. Some saw a way to embellish their home with a unique object; some just liked me and the effort I put into my craft.

The contrast between visiting some of the homes I was invited to create a piece of my work for and my old farmhouse out in the country was quite dramatic. I remember becoming quite depressed as I would drive home in my old pickup, which, at times, I wasn’t sure it would make it.

It took me about five years to resolve my inner conflict. I attribute much of my change in attitude to realizing my freedom to be inner-directed, or as Abraham Maslow would say, to self-actualize.