As long as I can remember I have been drawn to creating art. As a kid I enjoyed experimenting with drawing, painting and sculpture. Unfortunately, I had little opportunity to get formal training during my school years, but when I graduated, I began looking around for a way into the arts world. My quest took me from my hometown of Saint Paul, MN, to the Pacific Northwest, where I met a master silversmith who offered to take me on as an apprentice.

During my three-year apprenticeship at the studio in New Mexico, I was exposed to all aspects of working precious metals into jewelry.

I learned early my enjoyed working with a jewelers saw, coming up with designs and using the saw to cut them into pieces of wearable art. Using the saw is still my favorite thing to do at my bench.

When my apprenticeship ended in 1976 I returned to Saint Paul. I dove into silversmithing, developing an artistic vision of based on my love of nature and my Anishinabe roots. I opened a jewelry store in Saint Paul, Blue Water Indian Arts, where I made and sold work based on my American Indian sensibilities. Over time, I became very involved in the native-arts community, speaking, giving demonstrations and attending traditional powwows as a vendor. In 1978 and 1979 I was awarded a Blue Ribbon and "Best of Show" at the Plains Indian Arts Exhibition in Rapid City, SD.

After running the store for a time, I started feeling that it took too much time and attention away from making jewelry. I gave up life as a merchant in 1982. Spent the next few years doing custom work and selling my jewelry at powwows and festivals around the Midwest.

It was at one of these powwows where I experienced a moment of clarity that resonates in his work to this day.

It was a clear, sunny day, and I was set up as usual with the other vendors at the powwow. Suddenly, a shadow passed over my table, a clear, defined, detailed shadow. I looked up and saw a huge, beautiful bald eagle circling the powwow grounds. I began working on developing my 'Shadow' style just a little while after the eagle shadow passed over.

Using the eagle's shadow as my muse, I have spent my career refining my style. I like to use simple, stylized scenes of American Indian life, totems and natural scenes to express my love for the traditional values of his Annishinabe heritage. I like to use this imagery to connect the past, present and future through the univeral values of respect for the earth and it's creatures, peace through balance, and the importance of the family in everyday life.

I want my work to reflect our connection with the world at a moment in time, like a shadow passing over our path.

I am a member of the Native Arts Circle in Minneapolis. When I am not working, I like to be outside tending my garden, fishing or camping. I also make time to hang around with my four kids and my granddaughter. I recently pulled out the old easel and have been playing with some paints.