Every piece of wood has a “personality,” a “story” enclosed in it. My job is to let it out. I try not to force a piece of wood into shape but “follow” it into one. I am especially attracted to unusual pieces, the ones that might look defective to an outsider’s eye. They always have the most drama in them, but any piece of wood has its interesting side.

I have a great love and respect for the trees as for all living things and that does not contradict with my work: I never cut a living tree. All my materials come from trees that get cut in street construction and development. Since as an artist I was born in Charlotte and grew to love it deeply I make a point to use only local wood. It is so beautiful and striking in textures and grains and not in any way inferior to any exotic woods.

My pieces tend to have primarily organic shapes; nature, in its seeming simplicity, is an endless source of inspiration for me.