Artist's Statement

I’m a native Kansan having been born in Elbing, grown up in Inman, and graduated from Bethel College in 1957.  I originally intended to become a teacher, but after graduation worked for six years as a Recreation Therapist at the C. F. Menninger Hospital in Topeka and became interested in mental health work.  After working for Kings View Hospital setting up and directing a similar program, I studied for an advanced degree at Fresno State University and then worked for Kings View as a psychotherapist for thirty years. Subsequent to retiring from Kings View, I was a consultant for the California State Department of Mental Health for ten years. 

From childhood forward I’ve always enjoyed art; drawing, painting, furniture design, furniture building, wood carving, and wood turning.  There’s a lot of satisfaction in turning ideas into three-dimensional and two-dimensional reality.