We often hide things in our work. On most occasions what we sneak in is pretty subtle. Other times it can be in plain view and we can get away with it simply because it blends in. Back when I had a large crew helping me they would often hide things in the work which I didn’t always catch. If we were sculpting a car someone’s birthdate or anniversary would end up on the license plate. Many of the trains I’ve designed sport the number 2. I am the second child in our family.

Various names of crew and family members have appeared on boats, fictional businesses and landmarks we have built. Last week as I left a project we had built six years ago I glanced up at the boat we had sculpted over the gate. I was surprised to read a beloved dog’s name on the boat’s transom... I had forgotten her name had been painted there by my daughter shortly after Maggie had died. It brought a smile to my face and also a bunch of happy memories to my mind as well.

-grampa dan