I am internationally known as a kite workshop leader, kite builder, kite designer, kite flier, and the author of 12 kite books. I have been invited to be a guest at various kite festivals worldwide.
Kites today are nothing like the paper kites we remember as kids. Today, kites act like stained-glass with intricate detail, vibrant colors, and unusual shapes. They range in size from just a few inches to giants that are bigger than a truck. The materials are strong and lightweight in a palette that allows the kite to become artwork in the sky.
My interests cross from physics into graphic arts, and from design into materials science. For my personal artwork, I build kites in a variety of sizes and styles, many of which I invent myself. In the past I focused on more traditional paper kites but more recently I’ve focused solely on large scale kites made from ripstop nylon supported by carbon fiber tubes.
I start with an idea, theme, or style and create the artwork on paper, or as an image that I enlarge. Scale and symmetry are critical. The next steps involve attaching fabric together for sewing while keeping in mind their weight and strength. Next are the bones that give the kite shape in a way that they can be removed for transportation and re-assembly when preparing for flight. Finally, the bridles and tension lines are created and tested for optimum flight.
I share my artwork in many ways. I do performances, demonstrations, attend kite festivals, and give classes. I encourage all of my students to decorate their kites. I’ve published 12 books about kites which are available on Amazon, and I’ve done over 100 workshops and visited more than 100 schools.
