The story of my life reads like a veritable adventure novel. I was born in Holland and from an early age, I was displaying the qualities of the budding artist. Due to parental pressure, I was, however, strongly discouraged from pursuing this career. I ultimately completed a B.S. in Nautical Mechanical Engineering and left home to join the Merchant Marines. The eight years I spent at sea provided me with invaluable exposure to numerous cultures, personal characteristics and body language, which have made no small contribution to the ideas which I have developed in my work as a figurative sculptor.
I pursued my long-standing interest in sculpting in Canada and subsequently the United States, when the opportunity presented itself, in the form of an important contract for the first Vietnam Veteran Memorial.
Drawing upon my engineering background, I proceeded to establish a foundry in Virginia. After several years, I decided that I wanted to devote more time to my personal sculpting, since I was currently largely occupied with casting other sculptors’ work. I, therefore, sold my foundry and accepted a position in teaching as head of the art department at Chatham Hall, a private preparatory school in Virginia. After eleven years there, including one year sabbatical in Italy, and having built a pool of clients and galleries, I felt it was time to venture out on my own as full-time portrait sculptor.
Having lived now in the US for many years I have become increasingly concerned with the waste of energy and materials by the vast majority. I am again drawing from my engineering background and combine that with my interest in 3D art by means of the study of the creation of Green Buildings. I am a member of the USGBC and other sustainable energy organizations involved in Green Building.
I find it a fascinating and necessary subject that has been ignored, especially in the USA, for the last 100 years. If you would like to see just a glimpse of my involvement in the subject, visit my 3D modeling page.