I grew up in a military family, which meant a number of far flung moves every few years. It was a difficult way to grow up . . . no roots and no hometown . . . but I wouldn't trade it for the world, because of what I was able to be exposed to. When I was six, my father was transferred to Seoul, and thus began my fascination with other cultures. I was lucky enough to get to visit a few other countries in the area, my favorite of which was Japan. I was deeply impressed by the sense of history and tradition behind the oriental cultures . . . something you don't really get to experience here in America.

My father retired to Houston as I was entering high school, and I was l grateful to spend my teens in one spot. After graduating high school, I attended the University of Texas at Austin, with the intention of getting an architecture degree. After a couple years of architecture classes, I realised that as much as I was facinated with building, I didn't want to spend the rest of my time here driving a desk, designing strip malls for someone with no taste. I have also always been fascinated by science, so I took a brief detour on a pre-med route, only to be confounded by my lack of chemistry knack. So, after systematically destroying my GPA with what would later become elective courses under my degree, I finally got around to something I had always enjoyed, but had trouble relating to as a "legitimate" career. . . art. I finally found something that satisfied my tactile needs, and kept me continually challenged. I decided that pursuing what I was interested in and passionate about was more important to me than a fancy, well respected career. I was most grateful for the guidance of both my metals professor, Thelma Coles, for guiding me into the world of emotional meaning, and David Deming, for teaching me the power of reaching someone through it. Much to my chagrin, I believe the curse of my painting professor, Richard Thompson, has come true. . . I am more a painter now than metalsmith, although I have managed to find a less messy and stinky way to paint. I'm still artistically ADD, and enjoy working in almost any medium. I'll eventually get back around to metalwork, but I have a lot of stories yet to tell that require me to keep painting for the moment.

After graduating from college, I bought a house, and ended up working in the computer gaming industry doing animation, as it was the only job I could find that paid enough and I got to do art. I had a lot of fun, met some really great people, and made a good living, but at a price. After four years of being drained of all my creative energy by corporate America, I opted out, and have been working on my own artwork and projects ever since.