A self-taught artist, Bob has been carving since 1972 and was strongly influenced by his father, who made hunting decoys. As his father's pieces became more sophisticated and entered competitions, Bob's interest in birds and art grew. In a short time, puttering as a novice carver blossomed into a professional, artistic pursuit of wood sculpturing. Bob was also influenced by Harold Haertel and other artists. Bob's many years of observing birds in the wild and studying the nuances that make each species unique, combined with careful scrutiny of photographs and preserved specimens, has honed his ability to capture the life essence of each bird in exquisite detail. A large population of birds migrate through his hometown area enabling Bob to study a wide variety of birds. Field research remains a priority when traveling throughout the country for exhibitions, competitions, and pleasure. Attention to distinctive facial details is a hallmark of his artistry. Bob's style over the years has changed from intricate, heavily textured carvings to a softness that is worked into each bird. He tames the harshness of a Blue Jay into a pensiveness that ensures attention appreciation, qualities necessary for all works of art.