Q:   Can you share how your artistic journey began? What inspired you to start creating, and how has that initial spark evolved over time?

A: I came by and fell in love with gourd art by accident. Having founded Powerhouse Creations some time earlier, a traveling shamanic market place for hand made gifts that included incense burners, walking staffs, smudging tools and so on, I was looking to expand my offerings to include gourd drums and rattles and I was introduced through a mutual friend, to the Zittle family who had just begun growing gourds and were looking for people to market to. As I was talking to Roger, the owner, a truck full of gourds in every shape and size imaginable pulled into the yard. The possibilities for art projects seemed limitless and I soon offered to create a center piece for a first of a kind, in Northern California, gourd festival that had a 10 year run. To this day I still approach every project with the same since of wonder and enthusiasm that I felt on that very first day.

Q:   What have been some of the most significant moments or challenges in your journey as an artist?

A: Early on in my career I had the opportunity to teach a 9 year old young man who was blind, how to make a simple gourd rattle. He would be a middle aged man by now but I still can hear the delicate sound of thunder he made that day, signalling to me that I was on the right track.

I feel that the really good artists, in this world, are born that way. Many aspects of fine art can be achieved through higher education but the ability of an artist to create something wonderful from absolutely nothing isn’t likely to be something that is teachable.

Q:   If you could offer one piece of advice to other creatives pursuing a career in visual arts, what would it be?

A: Follow your passion. Romance can wait a little longer. Any relationships you may eventually have will benefit greatly from your self confidence as a successful artist.