it began a good 12 years ago or so. I carved a hiking staff for myself, and it turned out pretty good. People I knew started asking for them, so I produced several more that were mostly given to friends and family members. I've produced at least 50 over the last decade which have been sold, donated to charitable and non-profit groups or given as gifts.

In 2000, I started whittling a piece of willow and eventually came up with an orca whale that looked a lot like a fat submarine with wings. Both pleased at my first attempt and chagrined at how inorganic the result appeared, I began carving in earnest. To date, I've produced dozens of whales, fish, a few wolves, a couple of small female nymphs, many more hiking staffs, a wooden few bowls, goblets and vases, and some custom sword handles and display plaques for my personal collection.

I've been a fiction writer for a long, long time - even predating my adventures in wood. I enjoy photography and woodburning as well.

I live in Anchorage with my kids, my German shepherd and my Siamese cat.