About me

I grew up in Minnesota. Near lakes, forests and fields. My three other brothers and I grew up having many fun and exciting adventures. I enjoyed sliding or swinging on whatever I could find. Eventually, music, snowboarding and drawing were all I wanted to think about. These hobbies gave me a sense of freedom, mystery, weightlessness and a host of many other good vibes that I wanted to continue in my life.

My family is the light in my life! My wife is originally from Czech Republic. We have been living in Oregon with our two children for 18 years. We love to travel and visit family and friends. We hike often in the mountains and valleys nearby, looking for new natural places to explore. We all like to ride our bikes whenever we can. Oregon has so many beautiful places to get inspired. Currently, my hobbies also include making music with my instruments, gardening and cooking.

My passion for sketching started when I was young and I would watch my mother draw majestic animals in royal poses. She practiced often though soon she had 3 more boys. Her time for sketching turned into taking care of us. She would sew clothing for us to save money. Her home cooking was like a gourmet restaurant. She was an amazing mother. She passed away at the age of 31 from colon cancer (I was 11). She unknowingly had a hereditary condition called Familial Polyposis that caused her to have polyps in her digestive system. The polyps turned cancerous and became fatal. It was a shock for everyone she knew including me and my brothers. After that happened, we knew something was odd because her mother had just passed away from the same thing, she was 58. Her grandmother passed away from it also, only at age 37.

Everyone in the family was getting checked with colonoscopies. One of my mothers sisters also has it. And after a few years it became obvious that I and two of my other brothers have it. My younger brother had it and had gotten cancer by the time he was 18. He died at 27.

I and my brother have had our colons removed. My son also has it. We are traveling each year to get checked and to have the polyps that grow in the other parts of our digestive system removed and checked for cancer.

This is all very challenging to deal with sometimes physically and mentally. I find so much comfort and help from my wife, children and friends all being a tremendous source of love. Being creative is an amazingly therapeutic activity. I want to find opportunities to help build a bridge of hope and gratitude with my creative skills for others who have challenges in their lives.

If you have a project that is helpful to those in need, please reach out to introduce yourself. It would be great if we can benefit each other and the community together.

If you see me riding my long board around town, say hi, I would love to meet you!