Writer at large.

With a great archive to work with and the partnership of my long-time friend Linda Cluxton (communications officer at the school), this project tilted toward stories of unforgettable character about unforgettable characters.  Also some wonderful panoramic photography of the chapel's interior by friend John Warner.  It became apparent quite early how deeply important this place grew to be in the lives of Christ School boys.

Dog-eared photos from throughout the 20th century animated the tales of boys, profs and headmasters in our history of the chapel at Christ School, Asheville.

For HandMade in America, to go with a number of other profiles, including Chimney Rock and Crossnore, meant to capture the utter uniqueness of these enduring mountain hamlets.

Commissioned by friend and head of school Phyllis Crain, this book traces the quilt-like evolution of one of North Carolina's great educational treasures.  The story unfolds from the perspective of the vital philanthropic involvement of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), pretty much from the school's first years.  I loved piecing this book together with the help of design partner and close friend Ann Baker, who lives with her doctor husband, Charlie Baker, on a farm near the school.

A fabulously illustrated journal of Grandfather Home for Children ~ its full history ~ and the remarkably dedicated people who kept it going as priorities changed in how to be of the greatest service to children in grave circumstances.  Many thanks to director Jim Swinkola for commissioning this book and to Ann Baker who worked with me on its many individual spreads, each designed to usher the reader into a particular span of history.

A recent pro bono project for the Asheville YWCA.  Thank you Holly Jones for the spadework and Connie Aridas for the simple, striking design.

Researched (meaning a lot of road warrior perseverance), drafted, meticulously checked and edited on behalf of HandMade in America, an Asheville-based non-profit.  From the back cover -- a guide that will "take you to over 500 studios, galleries, heritage sites and historic inns throughout Western North Carolina."  Three editions, selling over 80,000 copies.  A rare and great privilege to be a part of this creative team.

From the book, one of a number of "craft heritage" touchstones -- this one about the influence of Biltmore Estate on craft in the village and beyond.

An opportunity to research a layered and enthralling history of both men's and women's tournament golf at the Biltmore club, including pieces about Jones, Hogan, Louise Suggs and Estelle Page.

Hole-by-hole analysis of play at the Biltmore club, annotated with notes from Curtis Cup player Brenda Corrie Kuehn with genuflections to Donald Ross' designed-in treacheries.  (U.S. Women's Amateur program, 1999)

One of the lead ads in a long-running campaign for Asheville tourism, setting forth the promise that a trip to these parts will lift your spirits.  Art director, Chris Schlegel; photographer, Arthur Tilley.  This stretch of ads won an EFFIE award.

A cooperative ad that polishes the notion that the Parkway is not only a stunning route from A to B, it can also shuffle weather and time.

Working with Crossnore School over a three-year period turned out to be a rare blessing, given the school's compassionate history of serving mountain children for over a hundred years.  Working with art director friend Connie Aridas, we researched and created a five-panel timeline, illustrated with archival images, that translated into both a small book and an evergreen exhibit on their campus near Linville.  Heart-felt thanks to the late Phyllis Crain, school director, who inspired our work for the school.

An ad enclosed in the Tryon Daily Bulletin, billed as the world's smallest daily, as part of a campaign to boost the publication's home delivery and online circulation.
 

Article (and watercolor) for The Laurel of Asheville.

Like a model actually shot through clarified and unclarified polypropylene.

Illuminating, among other things, Pat Summitt.

And a deeply-felt piece of writing about the magic of this place I have come to know as home.

But still a favorite ad because of its graceful nature.

Adjacent to St. John the Divine in NYC.

Agency: Creative Energy.

On the cusp of the World's Fair in Knoxville.  Keith Gold, art director.

Creative Energy, agency. 

Sarah Bowman, text.

Connie Aridas, art director.

For Milliken Chemical, Price/McNabb agency, Keith Gold, art director.

Creative Energy, agency.  Theresa Bellamy, art director.

A series for the University.  Katherine Key, head of group.

A favorite photograph, a favorite place.

For Elk River; Price/McNabb agency.

Alan Moss, art director.

Joe DiNicola, illustrator.  Price/McNabb, agency.

Ron Zisman, art director.

Thanks Katherine Key for the opportunity.

Thanks Alter Group; thanks Robin Gregory, art director.

Thanks Thomas Wolfe.  Thanks Chris Schlegel, art director.

A favorite ad for Biltmore, running across the seam in Southern Living.  Price/McNabb, agency.

Price/McNabb agency.  Ken Fulford art director.

Part of an inspired effort to fire up the interest of school children, residents and visitors in Asheville's Urban Trail. Many thanks to a diverse group of folks, including city staff, the Downtown Association, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, who kept the coffee hot and the conversation jumping about how to make the project work on a number of levels.  On the web @ www.exploreasheville.com/urban-trail.

One of the spreads, each featuring a station along the ramble.

One of the opening spreads of "Following the Urban Trail."

Collected stories along rivers, mountains, glens and hollows relating to neighbors helping neighbors in Western North Carolina (commissioned by WNC Communities).

Written with collaborator and friend Janet Moore, a review of the good works and sprawling impact of small places across the map of the mountains since World War II. A record of people-helping-people through joys and tribulations.