My fascination with birds probably started with our pet cockatiel, Barney. He lived with us for several years and was a lively member of our family. He loved my father the most and I think that relationship opened up the world of birds for my father and me.
As a young adult I moved to Ojai, CA, where my love of birds blossomed and became an integral component of my artwork and began my lifelong connection of the natural world and my creative expression. I am fascinated listening to their songs and observing them fly, gather berries, relating to one another, building nests and raising their young. Drawing and painting them brought me tremendous joy. Now, I mostly sculpt the birds and am tickled and pleased as I watch them become beings in the process.
This past summer we set up a small bird bath in our backyard and joyously observed an amazing variety of birds bathing, cavorting and drinking together. Robins, bluebirds, goldfinches, sparrows, cedar waxwings, mourning doves, thrushes, towhees, scrub jays, hummingbirds and more gathered, creating a most wonderful experience for all.
