Gathering Starlight
For as long as I can remember, I have thrived on the stuff of life and imagination – what is seen and accepted, and what can be envisioned and embraced each day. I have maintained a keen interest in how things are made and how things work. Growing up on the northwest edge of Houston, Texas, I experienced adventures in what appeared to be the country life. But as the expanding city ultimately overtook our quiet neighborhood, I embarked on even more discoveries under the heading “big city life.” Additionally, frequent family jaunts down to the Gulf coast brought me a treasure of inspiration and knowledge about the sea, wildlife, the beauty of the outdoors, the study of clouds and weather, and the raw power of nature.
Whatever my location, I spent most days observing the workings of everyday life, gathering in a huge experiential and visual file of systems, form, and color from all the action around me. And I spent countless hours inside my mind, a determined yet innocent interior world where I processed snippets of the environment of family, people, activities, places, and noise. In my own way, I cataloged constant incoming information into an atmosphere of quiet and order.
I think this prolonged processing and an emerging sense of self placed the creative realm squarely on my path. Early forays into self-expression produced feelings of excitement, inspiration, and energy. In my eyes, I had limited yet promising results. Everything was up for consideration in the laboratory of my world – building rockets, boats, tree houses, simple furniture, experimenting with electronic contraptions, communications devices, and chemical reactions, carving, drawing, color mixing, and painting.
Discovering Treasures
With innate inquisitiveness and the influence of family, friends, and teachers, I eventually came upon the works of Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, John Pike, and especially John Singer Sargent. A door opened to a banquet of color and expression. And through brief workshops with contemporary watercolorists, notably Charles Reid, a renewed kinship continued with the concepts of color, temperature, spontaneity, and just plain fun.
I became aware of still another facet of art through reproductions in newspapers, magazines, and books. At a time when these publications were operating in their final years of employing hands-on, innovative freelance artists to relate stories and sell products, I found the fascinating world of illustration. I was attracted to particular presentation styles and became familiar with the work of several successful illustrators. I delved into the creations of earlier illustrators and held lots of them in high regard for their conceptual grit and wit. Through their work, they demonstrated determination and a working knowledge of concise storytelling, daring drama, action, composition, drawing, color, and anatomy. And to my delight, I learned that several of my favorite fine artists began with disciplined backgrounds in the commercial illustration arena.
Engaging the analytical side of my mind, interested in organization and structure, I began the exploration of another design domain. With an education and degree in architecture, I recognized and improved the thinking behind my earlier design-build tendencies. I gained knowledge of history, civilization, cities, living and working environments, architects, planning, broad thinking, philosophy, discipline, order, scale, materials, texture, 3D design, and drawing. I became acutely aware of the total picture – humanity’s march through chaos, systems, and structures connected to and intertwined with the world of art and ingenuity. Nothing exists in isolation; architecture is living, breathing sculpture. Art is alive and well in everything we see, do, and imagine.
Finding North
And so, this fusion of interests and experiences presented me with a unique calling. That calling came with complex and somewhat frustrating specifications. I launched my self-employed creative ship on an ocean of possibilities with a course set for fine art and architectural illustration. To navigate a route in these waters took tremendous amounts of inspiration, determination, and energy, which didn’t always come easily. And I faced frustration from trying to do two things well – living in career parameters described and expected by others and squeezing more hours out of a 24-hour day than drops of rain out of a thunderstorm.
Burning the candle at both ends got me plenty of new work, and doing a project well while juggling brought me satisfaction. But sleep deprivation and angst were not a quality way to go for long stretches of days, months, and years. Were these conditions the nature of the business? Even during these times, I still grasped the remnants of possibilities, believed in seeing beyond the ordinary, and aggressively dreamed outside the box. I mid-course corrected often, pulled rabbits out of hats, and tried to ignore the crosscurrents as I sailed on through days and nights. Things were tough, but things were looking up.
With every new illustration concept and technique I attempted and delivered, I gained a circle of clients who witnessed my dedication and believed in my judgment. With a reputation for winning presentations, I rose to the top of the architectural illustration field. To this day, I enjoy the distinction of working with outstanding architectural firms on projects around the world.
Choosing the Path
Along with a heavy schedule of illustration assignments and deadlines, I intentionally painted watercolors for the life of my art soul and entered local, regional, and national juried exhibitions. Each entry was an opportunity to compete with the best, to grow as an artist, and to clearly, genuinely, and forcefully communicate personal emotion and observation. The results were encouraging. My work was juried into national exhibitions, won awards, and traveled to national venues. I rose to the top of the fine art field and achieved signature membership in the American Watercolor Society (New York), the National Watercolor Society (California), and the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Society (Colorado).
Publishers sent invitations to write articles and share my creative process and artwork in national magazines and books. Soon after, came invitations from an abundance of painting organizations to teach artists the soul-satisfying ways of watercolor. As a result, I discovered how much I enjoyed writing and teaching. An unbelievable blessing opened to me as I found myself demonstrating for and sharing with artists across the country and in foreign lands. I experienced the great pleasure of meeting wonderful people through my workshops and encouraging them in their own creative adventures. To this day, I enjoy a national reputation for dynamic design and energetic color in my paintings.
I believe, and I’ve decided, that there are many paths to the sanctuary of creativity. Employing sufficient time to record life and study history, to be open to quality and growth, to test old and new concepts, and unfortunately, on past occasions, to attempt to fit myself into the expectations of others, I have come to believe that I must wholeheartedly follow my own creative path. I believe that the path that I chose or chose me is custom-made and materializes in front of me with amazing timing. I believe I have the responsibility along this path to fully and fearlessly engage and participate in the blessings of my creative potential. I believe that art, its definition, artists, and the process of art reside comfortably on a vast creative spectrum. I believe that life and creativity are offered to all of us to be enjoyed and celebrated.
I’ve decided that accepting the fact that creative energy is prone to fluctuation in this artist’s life is the reasonable thing to do. I’ve decided creative spirits do pretty well inside these human bodies under earthly conditions and temporal limits. We must keep in mind that complex creative spirits accustomed to operating thousands of celestial switches must operate within a human two-button Etch-a-Sketch system. I’ve decided to add beauty and peace to the world, to kick up my awareness of the present, to import fearless living, to appreciate simplicity, and to foster ease and grace. Happy living and creating!
This journey of discovery and creative exploration has led me to a deep appreciation for the power of bespoke furniture to transform interiors into extraordinary spaces. Just as I have found my own unique creative path, I believe that each individual can discover the transformative potential of custom-made furnishings to elevate their living and working environments.
At Unfinished Furniture, we understand that the pursuit of exceptional interiors is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Each person’s vision, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences are uniquely their own. That’s why we are passionate about guiding our clients through the process of creating bespoke furniture that serves as a catalyst for truly exceptional spaces.
Whether you’re looking to create a cozy and inviting living room, a serene and productive home office, or a stunning centerpiece for your dining area, our team of skilled craftspeople can bring your vision to life. By working closely with you, we’ll ensure that every detail, from the choice of materials to the final finish, reflects your personal style and enhances the overall character of your space.
As you embark on your own journey of embracing the extraordinary, I invite you to explore the transformative power of bespoke furniture. Discover how custom-made pieces can serve as a canvas for your unique expression, fostering a deeper connection between your living environment and the essence of who you are. Let’s create something extraordinary together.
