Bio

I have been dreaming of making rolling ball sculptures (rbs) since the age of 10. My uncle had a non-motorized rbs, and I was fascinated, playing with it for days. I can still remember the path the balls took along their way, the sound they made, wondering how it was made, why it was made, and who could have thought of it. Later, I saw more elaborate, motorized rbs sculptures at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. I was astounded that someone could make such a magically satisfying creation. People would stop and watch, mesmerized.

For the past ten years I have worked toward building my own magically satisfying creations. I started with copper and quickly moved to welded stainless steel. My rolling ball sculptures are creations of philosophy, imagination, and varied skills and processes. Here is what goes into building these puppies: art design, kineticism, architecture, metallurgy, blacksmithing, industrial safety, welding, electrical design, physics, mechanical engineering, storytelling, Web design, marketing, photography, technical writing, amusement park rides, woodworking, Zen and Buddhism, and effort.

By day I manage Web sites for a large software company nearby, and by night I play artist-welder in the glow of a blue electric light. And at other times I am being entertained by my parrots, and by my efforts at piano and guitar noise-making.

Stephen