Gary had the good fortune to mentor with a third-generation cabinet maker in Hayward, CA, which opened the door to serious woodworking. He made cabinets for his home remodel, then cigar humidors, backgammon boards, and combination wood/clay pieces with wife, Lydia. After retiring from his day job, he began learning to turn on a lathe, then how to cut curved vessels on a band saw. The combination of curves and precision allows the beauty of the wood to speak, so while he calls himself a craftsman, not an artist, his vases, boxes, and candlesticks are natural works of art.