Al Tingley

The things we use every day should look good.

Matthew B. Crawford, in his book Shop Class As Soul Craft, An Inquiry into The Value of Work, sums up my view of art, craft, and work. Any endeavor competently done is art. The mediums and techniques are as varied as the artisans that create with them. I work with wood. You will decide my level of competency.

I stepped off a jet from Hawaii in Fairbanks on August 29, 1978. I was wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and slippers. It was 29° and snowing. In the fall of 1981, I drove off the ferry in Auke Bay. I worked in fisheries as a biologist and analyst for 25 years and another 13 years as a wood shop teacher. During that time, I got married, built a shed and a house and raised five kids.

Now my time revolves around my passion – wood and working with it.

- Al Tingley