I have made things all my life; anything from wooden boxes, guitars, to houses. For me making stone sculptures is the most satisfying. I carved my first piece of soapstone in 1974. The class was a 2 point 'fill-in', at Columbia University, meant to round out my Fall semester. The teacher, Minoru Niizuma, was unknown to me at the time; but was, in fact, at the top of his field. His only instruction to me, as I began, was to point to the stones and tools and direct me to start. We spoke little for most of the semester but eventually I began to understand his ‘method’ of silent approval and disapproval over time. I produced three pieces during that time and continued to work in the 125 th Street studio for many years after my course ended.
           From 1974-77, as I studied for a Masters degree in architecture at Columbia, I made more sculptures and exhibited from time to time. I also became Niizuma’s apprentice and helper. Probably the turning point that led me down the path of madness to a career in sculpture was my first visit to his loft studio on 168 th Street in Manhattan. All the space, stone, materials, dust and chaos turned my head to an alternate lifestyle that he lived. The career in architecture was preordained to an eventual and premature end; even though I did last eight years in the field as a project designer.
           To say I chose sculpture is not really true. I feel I had no choice but to work in stone. I don’t know if it’s a passion. Today, I think it’s just something I must do. There exists an endless possibility of shapes, colors, textures and possibilities with stone that I have only one lifetime to explore. I certainly have enough stone but not enough time left. My studio is filled with drawings and models of works that soon will ‘be’; given the freedom and time to make them real. I draw so as not to forget the ideas that come up daily.
           The stones I have come from all over the world and are, in fact, scattered far and wide. My name, drawn in crayon, is on stones in Vermont, New York, Portugal, and even Japan. All await either my return or attention. I remember each and every one of them and greet them like an old friend after some absence; excited again at what potential they might hold for me as a finished product. My friends Dave and John, in Vermont, I’m sure, thinks it’s quite insane. We all know I can’t possibly finish them all in time.
           The website I present here shows a portion of the works I have produced recently. It has taken some time to get this out into the public realm but I’m glad it is complete for the time being. I plan to add to it periodically and will be happy to get you more images of other works if you write. The website and the sculptures are all part of a family affair of work. It has become a lifestyle of stone for our family group. I thank them all for their endless help and patience.