“I cannot help but believe I am a creator and, consequently, an idea man. I love to teach techniques and concepts to any artist, young or old, and encourage them to seek critical opinion of their work. Norman Vincent Peel once said: “Most people would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.” In teaching, as others teachers well know, I find I learn as much or more about the subject and myself as the student does. In my own artistic life, I feel it is true that the actual act of creating is indeed a spiritual experience, a higher state of living that cannot be diminished. When I sculpt, I find myself solving my life problems without conscious thought and emerge from that time feeling refreshed and close to my higher power. Or, sometimes, I just feel beaten and worn down and have to wait patiently for the refreshment to come. And it always does.”