Many of us are familiar with your 'origin story' ... exit from corporate world, tooling around in the garage eating ramen and drinking beer ... but was there a defining moment that made you realize this would or could be your life's work?
I remember the first time I watched a collector truly connect with a Spiritile. She was wearing an
orange shawl & stood in front of the original limited collection when she became visibly
emotional. It was the “this might be something special!” moment. That raw, very human reaction
made me see that these little copper and glass pieces carry meaning far beyond the garage
they were made in. That was the moment I thought: “this isn’t just something I made. This is
something that can make a small difference in someone’s day.” And I was a bit blown away.
What inspires you most NOW — theme, feeling, philosophy?
Inspiration still comes from the world around us, and it almost never shows up on schedule. It
comes from family, from our kids, from our dreams, and from the everyday moments that make
life rich and unpredictable. Spiritiles are usually born from those moments that catch me off
guard with beauty or truth.
I am also deeply inspired by the collectors. Hearing how an image or a quote connects with
someone, how it marks a milestone, honors a person they love, or simply makes them smile.
That is powerful. Those stories bring the emotion of Spiritiles full circle.
And that ongoing dialogue keeps me grounded in gratitude: for the life we have built, for the
team and studio family that give this work its heart, and for the partners and collectors who have
helped build the Spiritile story alongside us. In most ways, the work has become a reflection of
shared joy and shared experience. It feels like a living record of connection and gratitude.
Has your work evolved over the years — technique,
materials, message?
We think it has — more color, detail, depth and complexity ... how did you accomplish this?
It sounds a little cheesy, but life is constant evolution. The studio is the same way. Every single
day teaches us something new: how a color behaves at a certain temperature, how glass flows
and settles, how neighboring colors blend, and how fire and humidity change what we thought
we knew.
We experiment endlessly with layering, blending, and temperature control. Whenever I think we
have pushed the limits of what enamel can do, a new series of paths opens up. I think it is
important to keep trying new ideas, if only to honor the integrity of this ancient medium. It is
such a classic material, yet still relatively unexplored in many ways.
So the evolution you see (more depth, more vibrancy, more emotional weight) is the result of
thousands of small discoveries made over years of curiosity and persistence.
That and I everything is on wheels.
Do you feel that your work has grown with you personally? In
what ways?
Oh for sure! Without question. I think Im finally understanding what really matters: family,
legacy, showing up for the people you love, and finding meaning in the processes of the journey.
It’s not so much about the outcome anymore.
And I think that fundamental shift naturally shows up in the work: it’s more thoughtful, more
intentional, more connected to the bigger picture and feels more grateful to me now.
So it’s kinda funny or ironic that you say the pieces look more detailed. When in my view the
technical skills have taken a back seat to the direction I want to see this go.
What emotion (besides happiness!) do you hope people feel
when they experience your work?
Beyond happiness? I mean, why would you ever look much further than that?
There are many versions of happy, though. I hope people feel a sense of belonging. A quiet,
comforting recognition that we are connected through shared experiences and emotions.
Whether it is joy, longing, hope, or love, I want the pieces to remind people that their story
matters.
Someone once told me that “Art is a mirror to the most human parts of ourselves.” I like that
idea. If Spiritiles can act as a mirror that reflects back a little more happiness, connection, and
courage, then I feel like we are on the right track.
Has a collector ever shared a story that deeply touched you?
I love hearing the stories from people. I read one each week to our studio team.
What are you most proud of in your artistic journey so far?
Honestly, I am proud that we are still here. Surviving the storms and getting to continue making
art as a real job is surreal. If we are not proud of that, I do not know what we could be proud of.
Since 2008 this journey has taught me a lot about resilience and gratitude. At the end of the
day, it is all about people. Every partnership, every collector, every artisan who has joined us in
the studio has been part of that growth.
People often ask, “How long did it take to make this piece?” I usually smile and say, “Forty five
years.” Because that is the real answer. Take your own life for example, you know it took a
lifetime of learning, living, failing, and getting back up again and again to do what you’re doing
today.
How do you hope your work continues to evolve in the
coming years?
Of course, in craftsmanship. The beauty of any good process is that it never stops teaching.
And I look forward to the paths that appear as we evolve. Our job is to guide our energy into
pieces that feel like happy reflections of an evolving world, while still keeping a classic feel.
Every “classic” look we admire today was once the modern experiment of its time. So, who
knows where it will go. We will keep trying things on, seeing what feels right, and letting the
work evolve in an honest way.
Is there a message you'd like to share with collectors this season?
Absolutely!
I have been thinking a lot about gratitude. Every collector, partner, and team member has
helped shape the Spiritile journey. Together we have built more than a collection of art. We have
built a community rooted in meaning and joy.
This season I simply want to say thank you. Thank you for seeing yourselves in the stories we
create, for sharing them with others, and for helping us continue our mission: “we create
happiness.” We truly could not do it without you.
