Foremost, I’m an author of more than twenty books covering topics in geology and mineralogy, primarily identification field guides, but also some titles covering more in-depth and focused topics (agates are a particular area of interest). To go along with the text, I photograph mineral specimens with studio equipment custom-built for the task, and with hundreds of published photos, I’ve progressively honed my photographic work to best convey a rock or mineral specimen exactly as it appears in-person, with no alteration to color or perspective.

My knowledge of the earth sciences is in large part self-taught, with some amount of formal education combining with plenty of self-motivated research. A hands-on education has most put me ahead, however, derived from growing up in a rock shop, buying and selling rocks and minerals most my life and identifying stones out of necessity. At the same time, I spent those years watching my parents, both jewelers and lapidaries, cut and polish all manner of exotic specimens. Growing up on the shore of Lake Superior—a sea, by no stretch of the imagination—also ensured an unending supply of geologic complexities to study. It was predestined; there was no way I’d reach adulthood without an appreciation for minerals.

While I’ve received some minor criticism for writing about these topics without having a degree in the field, my “amateur” status has actually been an incredible asset. I’ve prided myself on making my text relatable; on being able to strip away some of the complexities of geology and mineralogy and make the topics approachable and enjoyable for novices in a way that other authors may not take the time to do. I may occasionally oversimplify something to the point where I need to expound upon it a little more in a future edition, but like everything else, it’s an evolving process. I’m always seeking better ways to convey complex information in a concise yet interesting way.

As of 2021, my focus has shifted more towards science communication and promoting evidence-based thought. In an age where information is more plentiful and more readily available than ever before, misinformation is allowed to run rampant; pseudoscience seems to make just as many headlines as real science does. It is therefore more important than ever to ask questions, learn to spot problematic claims, and to not take anything at face value. To quote the Sagan Standard, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence,” and if I can help someone use that rationale to sort fact from fiction, then I consider my work a success.

I earned a bachelor’s of fine arts in graphic design and photography from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2008, but while I have created some successful working logos and brand identities and enjoy many aspects of the graphic design process, my creative passions fit firmly in studio art.

Despite professional success within the realm of geological science, a large part of me still thinks of myself as an artist first (as you no doubt noticed when landing on my website’s front page). Balancing a love for lush, elaborate detail with a personal aesthetic of stark, cold perfectionism, I strive to create visually interesting photographs, paintings, and drawings that straddle the line between realism and abstraction, as well as experimenting in music and film in styles that challenge my own creative boundaries.

Aspirations toward writing a novel round out my creative and professional pursuits. Relating my personal experience as an anxious individual within the context of an extraordinary situation with which I’ve never actually been faced is an interesting challenge I’ve been trying to tackle for a few years.

My wife, Julie, and I currently live in Wisconsin, where I attempt to balance bookwriting, artmaking, and my day job as a classical numismatist.