Artist Statement

In 1995, while visiting the Abiquiu property, a feral bee hive was discovered in the base of an old cottonwood tree. The top of this old dead tree had broken off sometime in the past leaving an unsightly snag that we sawed off to help improve the area’s looks. There for all to see was four perfect combs of stored honey. To save the exposed hive from vermin and winter cold, we nailed a piece of plywood over the stump. Two months later we returned, armed with book knowledge and a newly assembled hive body which started my obsession with bees, honey and wax. The pursuit into the world of the "least among winged things but the most in golden harvest" has resulted in a stable of 10 hives producing from 40 pounds to 100 pounds per

From an accidental start in honeybees and a fascination with their place in the insect world I joined the tour in 2000 to sell the excess honey they produced. In 2001 I had accumulated enough wax to expand into beeswax candles. This year, birdhouses made from cottonwood limbs previously hollowed by woodpeckers was another addition to my tour participation.

The real reason Arlene and I came to northern New Mexico was to grow grapes, fruits, vegetables, and berries, and to enjoy the peace, tranquillity, and enchantment of a land filled with color, tradition, and multiple cultures. The grapes have been a labor of love and despite setbacks due to frosts and untimely hail we have brought each year increased harvests to the wineries in northern New Mexico. A surprise addition has been the golden raisins we are now producing.

All of this along with the bed and breakfast has made our stay in Abiquiu a wonderful journey that sure beats corporate life on any given day.