I took my first wood carving class from Fertile area carver, Norris Johnson, at an FB Community
Education class less than 10 years ago. After some more classes with Norris and a few with
Ted Nordheim (another Fertile area carver), I started to travel further and further for training.
I have been to carving classes in Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Canada. Being a
member of the Valley Carving Club and the National Wood Carvers Association has been a
valuable experience in networking with other carvers and learning of new opportunities. I have
been president of the Valley Carvers for three years. I am also a member of the NFDA of which I
was awarded the Living Legend Award in 2007 at the annual The Gathering.

My work has been exhibited at the Polk County Fair for six years, an arts exhibit for the Fertile
Area Arts Council, the Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibit for three years and various art shows
around North Dakota and Minnesota.

Many of my pieces of artwork have sold around the area:
    
     In 2006 I was commissioned to carve two doors for a house located in Maple Lake.

     I have done an advent candle holder for a local church.

     A bark carving went to Norway.

     A Santa sculpture sold for $165, horse head for $100, and cottonwood carvings raging from
     $75 to $100.

     Various carvings have sold at craft shows and wood carving exhibitions too numerous to
     mention.

I have been fortunate to have received several blue and grand champion ribbons at the Polk
County Fair. Also, I've had good luck at the Northwest Minnesota Art Exhibition:

          2005 - Merit Award - Sculpture of two mule deer.
          2006 - Merit Award - Sculpture of an Indian maiden.
          2007 - 3rd Place Prize - Sculpture of mother wolf and two cubs.
               The mother wolf and cubs also did well at other places - A blue ribbon at the Blue Earth
               Wood Carving Expo, and blue  and sweepstakes ribbons at the Polk County Fair.

Many of my fish carvings have placed within the top five at various NFDA Decoy Carving
Shows. I earned enough points during the 2007-2008 competition to earn a 4th Place standing
in the NFDA World Points Championship.