I was born in Chicago and grew up in the Bridgeport/Chinatown area and was always fascinated by the Chinese shops and architecture of Wentworth Ave as well as the homes of Frank Lloyd Wright. As a kid I always loved using my hands and would build models of the buildings downtown (john hancock center and water tower), build mini bikes and take my fathers car apart.
I attended Chicago Technical College and majored in civil engineering but after two years transferred over to the Chicago Conservatory to study music. After two years I left the Conservatory because I needed to earn a living, I became a road musician playing in hotels, lounges for weddings and whatever other work I could get in the Midwest. While in Chicago I would stay at my parent’s house where I read two books on cabinet making by James Krenov, I was so moved that I built my first two pieces of furniture in my parent’s basement with no previous training and only a few dull hand tools. We still have and use my first pieces in our home today.
The music business did not prove to be particularly lucrative, so I read all twenty Time Life books on home repair cover to cover, put an ad in the local paper, ” Handyman, no job too small” and the work began to come in, I hired workers for my construction company, first doing remodeling, then additions, then building homes for clients, and finally started to design and build spec homes to sell.
After 25 years as a builder the suppressed desire to design and build furniture returned. As I was designing our present home I added a wood/metal studio that would (no pun intended) allow me to fulfill this ardent love.
My designs come first and often push and guide me to acquire new skills such as the lath, welding and metal work to complete the design. As of 2007 I have devoted myself full time to this pursuit.
my RESUME
EDUCATION
Wood working -Self taught
Welding- Chicago Fire Arts
EXHIBITIONS
Sharpenberg Gallery 2007
Black Walnut Gallery 2006,2007
DISTINCTIONS
Commissioned to design two chairs and a table for the President of the illinois institute of technology's office
