Craftsman, Biologist, Photographer

I’ve been fortunate enough to be exposed to the outdoors all of my life.  The family ranch at the gateway to the Texas Hill Country provided constant inspiration and exposure to the values and techniques of handwork, woodcraft, hunting, fishing, and the natural order of life.  Those formative years on the ranch influenced by the teachings of my diverse family directed me towards a great appreciation for the way things were.

 

As childhood progressed into adulthood, art in imagery allowed me to express my experiences and thoughts in sketch and picture.  The simple Fisher Price point and shoot progressed to the tired Minolta XG7, in turn leading down the trail to what is now digital.

 

I followed a path to Texas A&M (A&I) - Kingsville to study wildlife biology and management.  These studies and the experiences only helped to fortify my interests.  Taking my degree into a 21 year career as a ranch and wildlife manager and consultant afforded further diversity to journey into photography, build those projects that had only lived in sketches, and dive into sporting's golden age.

 

Now based in West Texas with a little more time on my hands than ranch life afforded me I have the opportunity to look both backwards and forward, gathering my thoughts into an aesthetic of life that some might consider unique.

If one were to ask, "Have you a passion?"  The first answer would definitely be my family, the people that define "home".  But the psychologist in me knows the answer to their question lies in an activity.

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That requires a more complex answer contained in simple verbiage, "handwork".  Hard work and handwork have always gone together, and formed the basis of my upbringing.  I fully understand the convenience of mass production, but I believe in the viability of handicrafts and their endurance throughout time.  There is always value in something that is one of one.  I try to apply uniqueness to every creation that passes through my hands, no matter what "pattern" I may start with.

 

While I might dabble in a great multitude of craft from sewing to blacksmithing to fly-tying and beyond, I will always come back to sawdust, glue, linseed oil, and wax.  -Woodwork- 

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But, you be the judge.  Join me as I attempt to provide an opportunity where visions can be combined to reflect what once was with what is.

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-Chris