As I sit in my studio surrounded by my creative material—fabrics, yarns, paper prints, shelves of books, and collections of decorative objects—I can't help but reflect on the path that led me here. What astounds me the most is the confidence and faith in myself I have always possessed, from my early years as a free-spirited boy on the wild California coast, to a young man who strode into England and the world of design and made a place for himself. I never felt daunted by difficulties or blocked alleys. Somehow, I knew the path I was on was right, and my trust in that sense was stronger than the limitations of my own personal comforts or desires. If I ever doubted my direction or wanted to give up, key friends in my life encouraged me to press on.
Over the years I know I have had guidance from guardian angels, who have helped me at every turn. They have ranged from family members and collaborative partners to the colorful travelers who serendipitously crossed my path as they sought the beauty of Big Sur, California, my family home, filling my young imagination with impressions of the Old World and details of their eclectic lives. This education was more extensive than I could have known at that age. I conjured up a vivid land from all those tales told around the fire at our family restaurant. Since then, I have found a home in England, in the world of textile arts, and in a glorious life of my own design.
The magnificent Santa Lucia Mountains as seen from the terrace of Nepenthe. The patio is made of cut redwood rounds.
