Monday, April 26, 2010

How U Doin?


I took a cocktail-sized logo design and transformed it into a tavern sign that was four feet wide.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Distressed furniture




No it's not worried about the economy ... it's black laquer and then distressed to look worn. These pieces were custom commissioned. One is a bench big with storage big enough to hold cowboy boots; the other is actually a wire dog kennel made to look like a matching piece of furniture.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Pelican got your mail?




What do you think of these? Pelicans still seem to be a pretty hot trend along the coastal regions.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Just in time for Houston's rodeo season!




I'm excited to see my Western and American Indian, cowboy and rodeo artwork featured at White Horse Trading Company in Porter, Texas.


It's almost rodeo time here in Houston and these are in the spirit of the season!


Thursday, February 11, 2010

Just carved this horse with my CNC


The CNC router is an amazing machine! I work on the image using my computer and it does the carving. I haven't decided what color finish I'll use on this yet.
A lot of my completed artwork is now available in a Western store in Porter, TX called White Horse Western Trading Company.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Horse art? Of course! It's Texas!

I've been commissioned to do Western signs for a local retailer in Porter, Texas. They've turned out great. Using mesquite gives the signs a nice rustic look. I've featured art such as long-horn steer, horses, cowboys, etc. and they've been very popular around here.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Finished the cherry tables!


A customer wanted custom-shaped cherry tables for her living room. Here's how they turned out.

Friday, January 29, 2010

What's your sign?

If you could make a sign that said something unique about you, what would it be? One of my granddaughters wanted hearts and flowers on the sign I made for her bedroom. That's far different from the sign I made for one customer who is a die-hard John Deere fan and wanted a green & yellow tractor on the sign posted in his garage. (I went to a John Deere retail store and bought authentic paint for that job.)

That's the fun of making custom signs. No two are exactly alike!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Delivering pelicans

I'm delivering hand-painted pelicans, sitting on pilings, to a gallery in Kemah, TX today. Pelican artwork is so popular nowadays, and I'm thrilled with how these turned out. They are made from durable and lightweight high density urethane. They can withstand the weather better than wood.

I'm told people love the idea that these are made in the U.S.A. !

Monday, January 25, 2010

Starting a business and giving back at the same time

I believe that what goes around, comes around. So when I launched my business, I wanted to build in a way to give back to charities that are important to me and my wife.

Years ago, I made custom wooden rocking horses and doll cradles to donate to pediatric cancer patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center. It was so wonderful to see the children's faces light up! Many who receive treatment at this facility were from other states, and didn't have their own toys.

So now I make custom signs (such as the popular man cave signs), business signs, custom furniture and all sorts of dog-related items. A portion of all of my sales of everything but the pet items is donated back to An Orphan's Bright Star, a 501(3)(c) charity that my daughter founded to help the children living in orphanages in the Ukraine. Two of our granddaughters were adopted from the Ukraine and we want to help give those remaining a better life.

The pet items including ornaments, bed steps, signs (all customizable) all benefit Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue. My wife and I are volunteers for this group, which saves the lives of some 200 Goldens each year.

It's not easy starting a new business especially in this economy. I figure God has given me a special gift. I can create just about anything out of wood. So I'm returning the favor by turning my passion into a means for helping other really worthy causes!