ARTISTIC STATEMENT: I began metal working by first becoming a member of the Alabama Forge Council in 1986. I was able to explore how to reshape different metals by working

hands-on at meetings and conferences and by participating in workshops by master smiths from the United States and Europe. In 1993, I began experimenting with using the repousse technique to create images. I added cold forming sheet copper into two or three dimensional whimsical depictions of animals and insects. I plan to continue exploring artistic uses of copper to create new and exciting expressions of art in both the abstract and traditional forms with emphasis on Roycroft arts and style copper work.

MEMBERSHIP:

• Alabama Forge Council- 1986 to present

• Alabama Designer Craftsman- 1996 to present

• Artist Blacksmith Association of America- 1986 to present

• Southern Highlands Craft Guild- 2002 to present

• American Craft Council- 2001 to present

EXHIBITIONS:

• Stable Artist- Bare Hands Gallery- Birmingham, Al

• Stable Artist- Blackwood Gallery- Springville, Al

• Stable Artist- Railford Gallery- Roswell, Ga

• Alabama Designer Craftsman Show- each year from 1996 to present

• Kentuck Arts Festival- each year from 1995 to present

• Magic City Art Connection- each year from 1996 to present

• Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition (Charleston, SC) 2000

• Powers Cross Roads- 2000, '01 and '02

• Florence Arts Alive- each year from 1998 to present

• Tennessee area Craftsmen Association- 2001 and 2002

• Southern Highlands Craftsmen guild- 2003

• American Craft Council- 2004

CONFERENCES:

• Alabama Forge Council: 1986 to present

• Artist Blacksmith Association of North America 1988 and 1998

• Southeast Regional Blacksmithing- 1989 and 1995

MASTER BLACKSMITHS I HAVE STUDIED WITH:  John Beckwith (Al), Gavin Harris (Al), Manfred Berdhol (Ger), Daniel Boone (Maryland), Tom Sheets (Ga), Dr. Jim Batson (Al), Clay Spencer (N. Carolina), George Dixon (N. Carolina), Walt Scaddin (Conn), Robert Trout (New York) and Wendel Broussard (Tex).

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS:

• Third Place- Gum Tree Festival in Tupelo- 2003

• First Place- Arts Alive in Florence- 2001

• Merit Award- Arts Alive in Florence- 2000

• Thirty Six Purchase Awards- Kentuck Arts Festival- 1995 to 2003

• Alabama Forge Council Scholarship: 1995

• Merit Award- Helen Keller Festival, Tuscumbia- 2003

Honored to be in private collections in Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arizona, New York, New Mexico and Germany.