Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Southern California. I lived in southern California until my wife and I moved to Taos in 2008.
Who has influenced you?
As a young person, I was much more conservative than I am now. My growth as a more liberal and tolerant person began when I heard Lyndon Johnson give his speech on the start of his Great Society initiative. That changed my whole view on how people should treat each other and how government should support its citizens.
Why TCA?
My initial interest was the Manby Lilacs on the TCA property. I did a lot of volunteer work for the Lilac Festival when it first started. It seemed to me that the best examples of heritage lilacs in Taos were the Manby Lilacs. I wanted to make sure they were in the best condition possible.
When Los Jardineros installed the Celebration Garden next to the TCA office building,
I just added that to my work on the lilacs. I really love how this area adds beauty to
the downtown.
What was the first TCA event you attended?
It was probably a MET Live in HD performance. My wife and I do enjoy the opera.
What inspires you?
No one thing inspires me. I have had different inspirations for various aspects of my life and at different times. In my photography what inspires me is nature as landscape and how humans have impacted that landscape. Currently what inspires my life is the capacity for some cultures and peoples to work together.
What else do you love about Taos?
The wide-open space and big skies. Also, the ability to experience so many cultures in one place.
Who’s your favorite Taos artist?
There are so many good artists in Taos! I love Ed Sandoval’s work for it representation of the Taos world. I also appreciate the way Mark Asmus gives us visions of the history and cultures of the area.
Favorite music or musician?
Bob Dylan. No one writes a lyric like Dylan.
Favorite film?
Currently it is The Martian. I really love movies that celebrate the resilience of
the human experience. Before The Martian came out, my favorite was
The Shawshank Redemption.
Tell us something about you that nobody knows.
Before I came to New Mexico, I belonged to an art association in Southern California. The association has 350 members and its own sales gallery and art classes. I served as President of the art association. My last ten years there, I managed the gallery.
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