My wife myself and two girls came permanently to New Zealand in 1972 and lived for 23 years in Auckland. I was oil painting during this time but became very interested in stone carving and in the late 70s started carving in soft stone and later in Jade. I was invited to participate in two master carver exhibitions in the 80s one in Argillite and the other Jade; I also taught carving for some years in the evenings to adults. I then started carving in wood as the results were quicker and wood was more obtainable although of course the problems were different. Now I am retired, I am painting once again but also carving still and exploring other mediums as well, I generally prefer to paint with a knife although for some detailed paintings this in not an option. I am self taught but have read a great deal and also been encouraged by many nice people throughout the years whom I now count among my many friends.                  
 

The process I tend to follow when painting is to size up the subject, put in the basics and then go for it, a lot of the time I am so involved that I am not fully conscious of actually putting in individual areas they just happen and not always as I want them so I have to stop and look very often, although some of the best shapes and colours in my paintings occur without being planned. 

Of course when carving the process is very different because if everything isn't planned meticulously from start to finish you may remove to much material which will render the carving useless, or the finish may not suit the subject.
 

I love being an artist because we meet many lovely people with similar interests, it also gives me the chance to explore and create things in different mediums, and I can use it as an excuse for spending money, dressing badly, and not clearing up the garage.

I am proud of all the exhibitions that I have been part of, I put just as much effort into exhibiting in Marton at our local art show or in the Wanganui Community Art Gallery as I did exhibiting at the Dowse or overseas. I aim for my exhibits to be a visual experience where ever they are shown.
 

If I wasn't an artist or creative person I would be dead - all my life I have been creating or inventing either at work in engineering or at home in improvements or in my art without it life would have very little meaning.

Recently we had a group of school children through the Studio ha ha (garage) these were supposed to be children with problems at school, we showed them carvings and paintings, and they had a go at carving, they all had a go at knife painting in oils, and while they were doing this they had their picture taken and then when the visit was over I finished off the last remaining parts of the painting signed their names and when it was dry they presented it to the principal at their school (all of which we attended at a special assembly) they also wrote us cards with their thoughts and thanks on , it was a really great experience, they were amazing children - I hope we made an impression on their lives ,either way they certainly made an impression on ours. Can't wait for more visits.
 

"O" dear  five personality pluses, well I laugh a great deal and make others laugh, and I don't mind laughing at myself, I like helping people and don't mind sharing any secrets where my work is involved I love meeting and talking to people and any of my friends are for life .