Hi, I build things

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been building something or another. Back in the day it was Legos and spaceships for my Star Wars action figures, then it progressed to programming D&D games in BASIC and writing terrible Stephen King knock-off horror, then polymer clay sculpture, then fine furniture, then a career pivot to programming (from marketing, which was less creative than writing code), and then giant wooden monsters (with some less terrible writing on the side). I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I wasn’t able to conjure something out of nothing. Probably street theater.

I’d be better if I had any sort of formal training (that includes SQL) but I have a tendency to fall into things and aggressively bash my head against the wall until I figure things out. A thick skull and a vivid imagination have served me well.

Artist holding giant wooden sword

FAQS

  • This is the website where I promote my woodworking pieces and other creative stuff.

  • Semi-professional: I’m self-taught and we could be here for days talking about all the stuff I don’t know about woodworking. However, I take what I do seriously and give it my all.

    Hobbyist: I’ve got a full time day job full of Big Boy Responsibilities® so this is by default a side hustle.

  • Depends on what you want. Full size humanoid pieces can run between $1500 and $2000. Larger ones will be more. Smaller pieces will be around $500 to $700

  • No. While I may be an avowed “semi-professional hobbyist” these things still take time and effort. While I’m loathe to attach a price tag to art, it is what it is.

  • Again, it depends on time and effort and material. I’m probably less expensive than professional woodworkers, but I’ll be honest - you’ll get better results with professionals.

  • Yes, yes they are. It was only until 2019 or so that I actually tried to take good photos of my work (mileage still varies). Anything prior to that are candid shots taken in the house because why on earth would I have a website dedicated to my woodworking?

  • The Pan-Mass Challenge (pmc.org) is one of the largest charity fundraisers out there. The PMC raises money for Dana-Farber’s cancer research. I’ve been doing the two-day ride from Sturbridge, MA to Provincetown, MA since 2016. If you’d like to donate to my current ride, please visit www.pmc.org/jp0400

  • For about six or seven years, I was the editor-in-chief for a website called StonerRock[dot]com. Wrote a ton of reviews about stoner rock bands (sounds like Sabbath, riffs for days, songs about wizards, etc) and went to a ton of shows. The site closed when my first born was fresh from the womb, so it was good timing to pivot to being a dad.

    Anyway, if you ask me about my favorite stoner rock bands, I’ll yammer on endlessly.