Bio & Contact Information

Joe is a native New Yorker who grew up in the borough of Brooklyn. At age seven he joined his local Cub Scouts and attended his first camping trip. It was during that trip where he watched the assistant cub master carve a deer from a block of pinewood. He was so anxious to learn the art, but because of his age and the need to use carving knives, his Dad thought he should start at an older age.

In 1985, Joe attended another Cub Scout camping trip. It was on this trip he decided he was going to learn basic carving techniques. Joe knew the perfect person to ask; the man he watched carve years earlier, his assistant cub master whom now was cub master. He carved a neckerchief slide in the shape of a comical crow's face (view the carving by clicking on “In the Beginning”). He became instantly hooked on the hobby and began hand carving personalized items for friends and family to improve his skills. Since the hobby wasn’t popular among kids his own age, he was self taught by books, watching “Woodcarving” with Rick Butz on PBS, and asking his cub master a great deal of questions.

At age fourteen he started to build and sell radio controlled aircraft and cars. Joe used those earnings to purchase woodworking tools and equipment. Although all the practice, equipment and learning aids that have helped him release his artistic spirit, he believes most of what he’s learned about art and sculpting came from the talents of both his Grandfathers.

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Email: Splinters85@hotmail.com