Kathryn

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My wife is an artist too -- with words. She's a word ninja!

Kathryn is my single greatest supporter in life and of my art. I can't image where I would be without her. She is outspoken, opinionated, and assertive - all qualities I admire. I've never met a woman like her with the same amount of strength, knowledge, and wit. She's snarky as hell too. Kat is my greatest ally in life, and gave us a son that was wanted more than life itself by both of us. I always knew she would make a fantastic mother. We make a good team with our disparate interests and diverse commonalities. My wife is a superb cook, a hard worker, loves animals and has rescued hundreds. She is by far the most intelligent person I have ever known and puts me in check. I love her for all of these qualities. The good she has put into this world is immeasurable - she is everyone's go-to in time of crisis or need. It can't be easy - and I honestly don't know how she does it - or puts up with my bullshit. I've always felt blessed to be married to my best friend. 

Kat is an anthropological linguist, and is superior in her field. She can pinpoint with accuracy where people of various languages were raised based on accent, vernacular, and speech patterns alone. Truly amazing. She has taught as an adjunct faculty member at YSU, following in her father's footsteps. Her father, Dr. John Robert White was professor and chair of the Anthropology and Sociology department at YSU for many years. Her teaching skills are profound, as were her dad's. He was, and would be, beyond proud of her. 

Kat is a genius writer, and I could not have made this site without her editing skills and suggestions. So, a huge thank you to her for helping to make this happen! We've spent more than twenty years being there for each other and I hope for many many more. However, she does wish to suffocate the life out of me for the ninja photo...so we'll see if I make it! 

You are a beautiful woman and an amazing wife. 

∞

My extraordinary son...what can I say? 

You inspire me to be a better human every single day. 

I expect great things from you, not just because I love you, but because you are smarter and better than me in so many ways already. You are the light of my life. You are a gift and blessing to the universe and will make that known by changing the world. I know it!

My mother, Alice, is talented and also has an artistic mind. She is a bright and strong woman. She has always supported my work and helped expand my artistic pursuits. She worked many years as an AutoCAD draftswoman, doing architectural and engineering work for several firms. I remember looking at large blueprints when I was younger that included giant plans for domed geodesic roofing of water treatment tanks, or giant iron-hooks rigged to ceilings of industrial plants meant to carry loads via pulley systems. This was cool stuff – designed with incredible skill, far beyond my mother’s pay grade. I awed at not only the technical drawing, but also her all-capital printed lettering that was, and still is, so clear, neat, and easy to read. 

My mom planted the seed of me being an artist at a young age, and has always encouraged and supported my endeavors. When I was a sophomore in high school, she came up with the fundraising plan to make lithographic prints of my artwork to sell - funding a 3-week student ambassadorship trip to Europe. The People to People International Travel Program, envisioned and set up by President Dwight Eisenhower, was an immersive and spectacular learning experience. My group visited Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and France. It was an incredible experience that I am grateful to have had due to my mother. Combined with traveling with my grandmother at a young age, this trip set the stage for both the world travel and four cross-country road trips with my wife. This tradition has continued, as three of those trips have included our son over the years. 

My mother has also given me the gift of having a step-father. Chris has been in my life for over twenty years now, and he has always been great to me. I know he doesn't always "get" me, but that's just because I'm related to my mom! Ha! Chris is a good kind-hearted person, and is always there for my mother and family. He once just handed over the keys to his dad's old farm truck to be abused for my hauling of scrap metal. Chris has a keen interest in cars and motorcycles, yet has one fatal flaw...he's a Pittsburgh Steelers fan! Eh, we forgive him, however, and I even painted a pretty cool Steeler's helmet for him in their garage. Admittedly, it was actually fun to do. 

My mom has a great sense of dry humor, and we cracked each other up when I was younger, and still do. I love her ability to catch innuendo and inside jokes. She's a crazy hard worker. A little more on my mother and her mom, Mary Jane (my grandmother or "Bama"), and the influence they both had on me becoming interested in art and drawing at a very early age coming soon... 

My father-in-law was great and is greatly missed. A small tribute to him and his work can be seen here along with some of his extensive art/artifacts collection, as well as a few brief tributes to him from his good friend, and integral part of his dig crew, Chuck Mastran, and my good friend David Parker, a former student and friend of my father-in-law.