Resume

Artist 1966 - 1995

Wow, what a creative life it's been, where do I begin? From very early in life I enjoyed drawing, filling up every scrap of paper that I could. I found my own pre-occupation with drawing a way to pass the long tedious hours of grade school. Certainly starting with crayons, then pencil, conte crayons, charcoal, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylics, oil paints, tempera, casein, colored pencils, silkscreen printing, assemblage, computer drawing, 2-D computer drawing, 3-D computer drawing, and finally adding the element of time, 3-D Computer animation. it's been quite a ride. Most of my early work was recording the historical buildings and the area of Historic Ellicott City in ink, watercolor and oil paints. This held my attention for a very long time. Later after being introduced to drawing with a computer in 1984, I almost exclusively did that type of work. After returning to hands-on methods of applying paint once again, my style had become intensely modern. after a few years of this, I returned to realistic painting, mostly of landscapes and gardens. I am no longer active in traditional arts, but will most like return to it at some point later in life.

Still Tinkering with Remembering the Details

Although it may seem like there are no recent posts to this particular blog, in a way there are. What we have been doing is "fleshing out" the details on some of our old jobs in the older posts. Keep checking back and re-read them as we do updates.

Regrets about Forgotten Projects

Along the years, there have been so many interesting projects that I have acted as a consultant for, or labored on, or was involved with in some other way, that have passed by. I did not take notes, or photos, and only have my memories to go on. I would advise anyone that does such work, or interesting work of any kind, to record special events along the way, you just don't know when you may need to refer to them.

As I find myself doing more and more consulting in the field of Historic Preservation, I have no resume, or photos, of proof of any kind other than the finished buildings. Now I must go back and try to build some sort of record, and it's a daunting task. Don't follow my example, record events as you go.

Off to Work on History

Off to work again, first working on the doorway of an 1836 church, then off to do some grain painting on an 1834 home.

Harvest Farm Gardens-Sykesville Area 2007-2009

An avid gardener since 1980, I finally decided to start a business out of doing yet another thing that I like doing, propagating and growing plants. I never seem to get tired of learning about plants. I sell at farmer's markets, and on Memorial Day weekend at our home. Go to the website to sign up for our email list, for sale updates. Our main interest is in Cacti, Succulents, Bromeliads, and Epiphyllums.

Our main garden site is here.

Our gardening blog is here.

Our gardening store is here.

Purkeys Toy Trains-Sykesville Historic District 2000-2009

We started Purkeys Toy Trains in 2000 after an extensive, and expensive renovation to a building in very poor condition. Since being built in 1878, it had endured just about every kind of indignation that a historic building can. It had fire damage, aluminum siding, covered up stained glass windows, window mullions removed and replaced with 20th century style picture windows, chopped up interior space, and almost nothing remained of any interior or exterior details. 

We have also built custom layouts, here is a video of the largest one we have built, in fact, we are still working on it. The store closed in 2009.

The Gate House Museum-Sykesville Historic District 1997

Hammond-MacDonald House-Sykesville Historic District 1995

The Craftsman Art Company-Sykesville Historic District 1989-2004

B&O Railroad Station-Sykesville Historic District 1989

Columbia Fine Arts 1988-1989

Sykesville Town Council Member 1988-1992

The Norwood Mansion-Sykesville Historic District 1987

Sykesville Historic District Commission Member

Rock Hill Studio 1986-1988

Private Residence-Sykesville Historic District 1985-2004

Design and execution of:

•   Restoration of front porch

•   Restoration of rear porch

•   Design and building of new 1930's period bathroom.

•   Repair of damaged interior stucco finish plaster.

•   Selection and replacement of all exterior light fixtures with period lighting.

•   Selection and replacement of many interior lighting fixtures with period lighting.

•   Complete design and replacement of kitchen.

•   Complete restoration of 30 windows into working units.

Design and execution of 2 story, 2 car garage and art studio to match original design of home.

Artists and Framers 1980-1986

Again, a gallery that I had designed, was sold to a new owner, and I eventually went to work at Artists and Framers, previously known as Artists Alley. I was the head framer, responsible for all ordering, inventory control, and all the picture framing. The new owner decided to turn the store into a gallery that did quality picture framing and sold off all of the art supplies.

Eventually a move was planned to a better location, and I was responsible for the design and execution of the design for both the new gallery and workshop layout.

Restoration of 1885 Victorian Era Residence 1977-1985

After 3 years of consulting with the owners on ongoing rehabilitation of this residence, they decided to shift to using more of a restoration approach. The job became so monumental that I eventually took up residence there myself from 1980 to 1985. I either initiated plans for, or designed, or was responsible for the execution and finishing of:

•       The complete removal of the asbestos siding, and restoration of the original cedar shingle and German siding body.

•       Removal of 1950's era metal porch columns, and designing an 1880's period porch including round columns, railings, spindles, brackets and other details.

•       Design and re-building of 2 fireplace mantles, and tile surrounds.

•       Design and re-building of 2 modern bathrooms replacing all elements with 1880's period design fixtures, hardware and complete period tile.

•       Replacement of modern windows with replacement wooden sash, and rebuilding existing wooden sash into working units.

•       Rebuilding 2 partially missing original staircases into a workable design.

•       Redesigning floor plan to allow for modern amenities such as a master bedroom suite including built-in closets, and platform for the bed. This is difficult to describe, but in the end, the bed platform, closets, storage and book shelving was all integrated into a connected design.

•       Design and execution of a large deck, including 3 levels, planters, and a gazebo. 

Complete design and execution of the 3 acres into Victorian period gardens.

The Marino Gallery 1977-1980

I returned to work at the Marino Gallery a second time as the head picture framer.

Artist's Alley 1975-1977

I was hired by a family that knew of my work in the art business, to design the gallery and workshop for a new art supply and picture framing business. The initial plan was for me to select the equipment needed to set up the framing shop, and for the family to run the business, but I did stay on as the head picture framer. Duties included maintenance of inventory for both the art supplies, and the picture framing supplies, waiting on customers, including custom designing framing projects.

The Marino Gallery 1974-1975

When the owner of Olin's Art Shop wanted to retire, he sold it to the Marino family. I went along with deal and worked for about 2 years, until 1977. My duties were as usual, working with customers, doing the picture framing.

Rehabilitation of Brick Residence 1973-1977

After the horrific 1972 flood of the Historic District of Ellicott City, I was displaced. I found a place to stay locally, and one day was wandering through some of the alleys on lower Main Street. I heard some hard banging, and peeked inside of an open doorway, and saw the owner tearing apart an unused brick chimney. I started to help and worked on this project for 4 years. I learned to do just about everything that you need to know about building renovation working on this project. The interior had been destroyed by years of life as a rental unit, and the flood of 1972 had finished it off. From replacement of structural parts, to tiling bathrooms, I was willing to try my hand at anything. As I learned, and started to have design ideas, i became partially responsible for the look of the interior rooms that were an open design, with only necessary walls remaining. The interior was finished with exposed brick walls, exposed wooden beams, and wood used for most other surfaces, including salvaged barn wood. I designed and built the fireplace mantles, bookcases, seating, finish trim and did the redesign of an original spiral staircase.

Many of the original wooden beams and other parts of this building were cut from structural beams of old ships.

Ellicott City Art Shows 1971-1978

From 1971 on to about 1978, I participated in most of the Ellicott City Art Shows that were held on Main Street each Spring. My participation included designs of some of the advertising posters for the shows, greeting and placing vendors the day of the show, and of course, displaying my artistic work.

I won quite a few prizes for my oils and watercolors, including the prized Best-Of-Show for non-professionals during the Bicentennial Celebration Art Show for the town held in 1972. I had just turned 19 years old.

Olin's Art Shop 1971-1973

This was my first real job. I was hired to clean out a large basement full of displays and items from the owner's previous business, Olin's Five and Dime. Eventually, Mr. Olin taught me to frame pictures for his shop and gallery. I was responsible for maintaining inventory, selecting new moldings, and designing for customers. I also became the head picture framer and was responsible for the flow of projects in the workshop.

Colony Furniture 1968-1970

Yes, at fifteen years old, I was hired to refinish pianos, and even helped to move them as they sold. The owner loved to play the piano, and so he started a business refinishing, repairing, and reselling pianos. And I am so happy that I did not stay in that business, pianos are just to heavy. It was a good way to learn about wood, and the restoration of finishes.