Portfolio of Works

Drawings I care to show

The work in this collection is from the 7 years I was fortunate to work with Claiborne Skinner...aka, "The Professor".  For the years we worked together I wasn't able to divulge his real name due to the nature of his profession. As a high school history professor (doctorate and all), he wanted his modeling life to remain private until he retired. He retired in June of 2019 and I was finally able to share his real name. This also freed up my ability to gather the collection and start to form a book around the work as well as highlight our friendship. These drawings are being offered for sale once they have been professionally photographed, catalogued, and readied for publication. 

My most recent project has been getting this 139 yr. old barn up to the task of being used as a studio. A studio for painting, drawing, printmaking, welding, classes, workshops, and maybe an occasional party!  I have waited, worked toward, and prayed for my own barn and it is still surreal.  

At the age of 22, I was offered a job as a carpenter. Working for a friend one summer framing houses, I fell in love with all things carpentry and applied to the apprentice program through the Carpenter's union. It took many tries to get a local to sponsor me since most places weren't too enthusiastic about females in the trades. This was in the 1980's, and it was still pretty rare to see a female construction worker, especially one not just holding a road sign. Going through apprentice school was one of the best decisions I ever made, gaining skills and confidence and lifelong capabilities I cannot credit to any other experience.   Skills  I used to renovate an old house and then build a 1000 sq' addition to that same house.  However, one of the main reasons I became a carpenter was to renovate my own barn. I had plans for one that included living space as well as for a studio, (I even included a pool).  Now, I am happy to have a barn for just the studio. It is really something, after all these years, to have a barn of my OWN.