FEATURED PROJECTS
Dindo Memorial 2025
Working in the Barre granite memorial industry for over 45 years, Charlie and Nan Dindo design gravestones for customers all over the United States every day. They knew they wanted to design their own monument before they would need it and hand pick the manufacturer and artisans to create it. The design is unique, personal and a realization of inspiration that spans generations. Charlie and Nan finalized the drawing, brought it for approval to the Cemetery and contracted the fabrication with Pepin Granite Company. He ensured success in translating the design into stone by lining up a team of professionals to produce the monument. Longtime collaborator and fellow sculptor versed in portraiture, Ryan Mays created the model and hand carved the figures. I was on board to hand carve the drafting table that had been used in Charlie's drafting business for decades. We worked for months collaboratively in the Mill St. studio with Charlie and Nan visiting often to be part of the progression. All drawings, models and molds, as well as process photographs and actual table have been donated to the Vermont Granite Museum as a permanent exhibit of this beautiful preneed memorial that sits in its forever home at Hope Cemetery in Barre, VT.
BELCHER MEMORIAL
In the fall of 2023 I presented a slideshow of my memorial work at the Vermont Granite Museum. Rose Belcher, a woman who attended, spoke with me afterwards about creating a memorial to be placed at Hope Cemetery in Barre. Her husband, Alan, had passed in 2021 and she was ready to start the process of designing a special memorial in Barre granite. We communicated and met a number of times throughout 2024 to collaborate on a design that honored their love of books, his work as an inventor and would stay true to the story they shared. Rose came to me with design images that she developed using books from her home library. We worked together to add personal details that aligned with her aesthetic. It was decided that a life size hand carved rose in relief would grace the front cover of one of the books. Alan’s patent numbers are portrayed on the spines of two upright books; as well as a low relief DNA symbol and ornamentation inspired by actual books on the other spines. Included on the back book cover is a cat design that holds personal importance to her. The back of the memorial is sandblast lettering with their names, dates and wedding rings. We were very mindful of creating a stone that felt balanced and unique. I worked closely with Spruce Mountain Granites to ensure that the sandblast lettering was completed to the specifics we decided on. It was an honor to translate Rose's story in stone. She is a beautiful person and our genuine connection guided us throughout the process. This original design, hand sculpted memorial is one of a kind. The Belcher memorial was placed at Hope cemetery in the spring of 2025 and is a beautiful tribute to life and love.
