Throughout my artistic journey, several influential figures played pivotal roles in shaping my passion for sculpture and bronze casting. While Dr. Fairbanks was a significant influence, my earliest inspirations came from my parents. My father, a university art teacher at BYU, and my mother, the director of the renowned Springville Museum of Art, nurtured my artistic development from a young age. At just 10 years old, my father would compare my drawings with his university students' works, providing valuable feedback and encouragement.