Wood has been an integral part of my evolution from childhood into adulthood and from craftsman into sculptor. The sculptor in me began to emerge as I worked under the wing of Gilbert Maggioni of Beaufort, South Carolina, for two years in the early 1970's. He challenged me like no one before or since. With my path lit with the torch of Maggioni's enthusiasm, encouragement and work ethic, I continued to push wood and my subject matter to their limit. I believe that over the years I have been able to make wood fly, yet all along I knew there was more to be discovered and tested. Recently, the possibilities and boundaries of wood have been extended again as if a whole new territory has been opened for discovery and development. A peephole was given me into this new territory when I had a mold made from a wooden feather into which bronze and later sterling was poured. That feather triggered more feathers, then eventually a whole bird in bronze.