Background
     Richard's career as an obsidian wind chime maker began in 1971 when he came across a dish pan full of strange rocks in a little Mom-and-Pop rock shop in Redding, California. An itinerant hippie jeweler at the time, he was initially fascinated by their ornamental possibilities; but, as he began to paw through them, he could not fail to notice their tonal qualities. In time, the lure of wind chimes overcame the desire to make more jewelry in an over-crowded market.
     In 1974, Richard discovered the Portland Saturday Market, a new, weekly arts and crafts marketplace. Over the next 19 years, he sold there on a regular basis and became involved as a volunteer board member. He served as President of the Board for three years. Since the early 70's, he has shown in art festivals and fairs in at least 13 states, and has been featured artist in a small group show, "Art in the Garden" at Valley Art Gallery in Forest Grove, Oregon.
     When Richard and his wife, Deborah, came together in the early 80's, he became father to two young sons, and they eventually decided to combine business and creative skills as well. Over the years, both sons learned all about the world of obsidian windchimes, from geology to marketing, and today, each of them has had a small business of their own. He and his wife continue to collaborate.

Artist Statement
     As a small boy, I was prone to picking stuff up and putting it in my pocket. People would say to me, "keep your chin up;" but, I rather thought there were more interesting things on the ground than in the sky. It was only natural, therefore, that I be drawn to the idea that there is more than enough lying about to afford one a living. I love bits and pieces of things, whether they are natural or the refuse of humankind. I strive, in my work, to achieve a sort of natural minimalism; whereas, most artists are rewarded for their ability to take raw materials and shape them into new and unexpected or pleasant forms, I try to manage the same effect by leaving them just the way I find them. I count an accidental afternoon spent with Louise Nevelson in the streets of New York as the most seminal moment of my art education. Ms. Nevelson makes "architecture" out of pieces of the city; I try, in my way, to make something that imitates nature from natural objects.
     It has become my opinion, through the years, that as modern lives relate more and more to the virtual world of television, computer screens and the inside of automobiles, many of us feel the need for a little something that reminds us that we still live on a planet, that we depend on the natural world and are just as much a part of it as our ancestors during the last ice age. I believe the simplicity of unadorned and largely unaltered natural materials plus the element of surprise that people feel when crisp, clear tones emit from "just a bunch of rocks" account for the success my wife and I have enjoyed over the last 30 years.

Background
     Deborah began making chimes with Richard in the mid 80's. Having lived in the Northwest for the previous decade, she had fallen in love, long before, with the flora and fauna of the region. A passion for hiking led her to explore and appreciate our rich geologic formations here in Oregon. Her own discovery of the magical sounds of obsidian parallels the wonder most feel when they first encounter the chimes. (Of course, she was also enchanted with the maker of the chimes!)
      Deborah became involved with Portland Saturday Market, a local open-air arts & crafts marketplace the first year it opened, approximately 1974, and displayed and sold her wares as a fiber artist. She moved on from there to study Herbology and co-owned and operated an Herb, Spice, Tea & Gift Shop for 7 years, working with many local artists. When she and Richard came together in marriage and parenthood, they decided to also combine their creative juices in art and business, and they have been working collaboratively ever since. Both children were involved in collecting, making and selling chimes during various stages of their childhoods, so it has truly been a family business.

Artist Statement
     My work is inspired by the beautiful environment where I find myself as I gather raw materials for my craft. I have an affinity for the Earth, especially plants and minerals, and I feel ease in conceptualizing designs while sitting in the place where they live. I have a strong desire to follow the designs of Nature; they are perfect designs. My art is in the combining of these elements. While each piece I make has never been done before, I can hardly say that I am the creator. I feel privileged to use materials the Earth offers in all Her abundance. I believe many of us in our culture are crying out for a closer kinship with Nature because it causes us to slow down, breathe, appreciate life, find our spirit. These chimes seem to be a bridge for some and I like being part of that.
     I particularly enjoy collaborating with my partner in this form. We both enjoy hiking the forests, beaches and high desert, looking for treasures. Two very different individuals, we are constantly learning from each other's perspective, therefore expanding our own. I see more in this partnership than I would see by myself. We have a lot of fun together, and this spark we have stimulates new ideas in the chime studio all the time. It would be difficult to describe exactly how this works, but if you have ever worked with someone that you know really, really well, you know what I mean. What comes out of our studio is a seamless combination of visions and efforts.