David Johnsen - Walking Sticks

"Walking the beaches around Florence, I started picking up interesting pieces of driftwood and started painting (in acrylics) scenes of the area, predominantly of Heceta Head Lighthouse. I had always had an interest in art, dabbling in oils, watercolors and pastels when I was in show business in Las Vegas. We had a marvelous scenic artist who did much of the art work, scenery and costuming for the Folies Bergeres, and I think he brushed a little incentive onto me.

I would have a sudden inspiration and do something like the San Francisco Bay area skyline on a yard stick, or a self-portrait, racing on my motorcycle.

Anyway, walking the beaches, I would see those beautiful sticks of weather beaten silver laying in the sand, and I would cut them down to size, a bit of wood burning, decoration and paint, and Voila!...my walking sticks!"