artist's statemento|oCreal's portfolio o about the artist I have had a life rich in the variety of experience. I was born and raised in Spartanburg, SC. I studied philosophy at Washington and Lee University and received a BA in 1975. Upon graduation, I entertained the idea of becoming a deep sea diver. I earned a grub stake working in a production line at a textile factory in Spartanburg, worked as a mate on a dive boat in the Florida Keys, returned to Spartanburg and studied topside welding at Spartanburg Technical College and worked briefly as a welder on a massive fossil fuel plant being constructed in the heartland of Nebraska. Upon my father's death in 1977 I changed my plans and decided I would like to become a mineral exploration geologist. I studied geology at the University of Montana and received a second BA in 1980. In 1981 I was hired in Houston, Texas by Dresser Minerals Division of Dresser Industries to go work at their Irish exploration office in Limerick. I worked in Ireland for a year and was transferred in the spring of 82 to the Scottish office to work on a large exploration drilling program in the South Central Grampian Highlands. That year I had the good fortune and honor to be part of a discovery team that outlined a world class deposit of barite and lead, zinc and silver sulfides. The discovery of a deposit of this magnitude is considered by most geologists as a once in a career experience. I worked on the Scottish project until 1985 when the confluence of a prolonged slump in minerals prices and corporate earnings resulted in internal restructuring causing the dismemberment of Dresser Minerals Division.						Photo by Gerry Pate I returned to Missoula, Montana and searched for what to do next. I had always been interested in art but had very little creative experience. One afternoon in a bar in Missoula I met Rudy Autio, then ceramics professor at the University of Montana. Autio is recognized for contributing to the US revolution in the role of ceramics as an important medium for the creation of fine art. I mentioned I was interested in sculpture but didn't know how to get my feet wet. He suggested that I order about 40 lbs. of earthenware clay and just start modeling it. I did just that and one afternoon I found myself mesmerized while working with this pliable medium. I lost all track of time and was so engaged in the activity that I forgot about my sense of self. That afternoon I created a form that I wanted to bring into a more permanent state. This led me to an interest in bronze casting which brought me back to the University of Montana. Gradually I became immersed in the study of art. I tiptoed from an interest in bronze sculpture to ceramics to two dimensional studies. Finally, I declared myself a major in the fine arts program. In my last year there I concentrated in monotype printmaking and graduated with a BFA in 1992. Upon graduation I returned to Spartanburg to set up my own studio and start my career as an artist. Since then I have exhibited my monotypes in numerous one person and group shows. Many of these monotypes have won recognition in juried exhibits. In addition to my studio work, I teach in the SC Arts Commission's Arts in Education Program.