Background
Background
Before we get into the latest build, I wanted to share with you a short biography. I was born in Louisiana, and lived here the majority of my life. My father was a builder, and I followed him around on build sites until he left for heaven in 2001. I didn’t realize at the time (as is common for most I suppose) how much he taught me simply by absorbing all the tips and tricks he used as a carpenter. He supervised large apartment complex construction, and built hundreds of homes in our area during his life. I can remember insulating houses when I was a small kid since I could fit into the low attic spaces! I’ve handed my Dad thousands of ceiling tiles, being careful to orient the grain correctly with each one. So, I guess building is in my blood.
Having a childhood with great parents gave me a kick start that in life that, sadly, many young people today did not have. But life can become fulfilling for anyone through strong faith, and a determination to better yourself with hard work. Education can come via school, or through the school of hard knocks.
I began playing piano at a young age, and so music is another of my passions. I bought a Vox Jaguar organ at around age 11, and began to play in rock bands made up of local friends. Our first paying job was the Spot Café in West Monroe where we each made $10. We already felt as though we had hit the big time! The Cafe was located near the Duck Dynasty warehouse made popular in the show. By the way, I’ve known the Robertson’s for thirty years, and attended church with them. They are great examples of the Christian faith. Believe it or not, I drew the original double reed duck call for Plil and Kay that they used to send to the U.S. patent office. I don’t get many requests for that type of drawing!
I’m still currently playing keyboards in a band. We play maybe twice a month still. It’s not too loud for me yet, so I guess I’m not too old! I’ll expand on that in a future post.
The reason for me mentioning that is because after being married at 18, my wife and I moved the following years to California in order for me to be a rock star. HA! After a year and a half playing different venues, and realizing the music scene was so different than what I had experienced back home, I decided to finish my college degree at CSULB in Long Beach, California. I received a degree in Industrial Arts in 1977, with a major in drafting and woodworking. I’ve used both in my life, and forever grateful for that education.
We moved back to Louisiana that year after my graduation, and I began drawing homes for a living immediately. I’ve always enjoyed drawing houses, and am blessed to have something as a constant way to make a living and remain flexible to pursue all my interests. Once again after returning home, I also joined a local rock band playing keyboards.
My wife and I eventually had 3 children. They all now have college degrees, and are very successful in their own lives. We’re also blessed with 4 grandchildren who we love to have stay in our home periodically. And the best thing is we can spoil them rotten before sending them back.
Around 1988, I began to rekindle an interest in the JFK assassination, and spent the next 5 years researching and writing JFK First Day Evidence, publishing many never seen photographs from the Dallas Police. My uncle worked in the Dallas Crime Lab at the time, and he had copies of much evidence in the investigation that had never been seen. I’ll expand on that in a post later.
I hope to continue to draw my entire life, and currently live in the piney woods of north Louisiana. Most of the posts to follow will deal with projects made from locally sourced wood from around my home of the last 12 years. I still enjoy learning, and have many interests. The more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know!