I have been a student of drawing and design since childhood.
The personal counsel of quality art teachers and mentors aided my growth as I matured as an artist.

One thing became clear to me through their related experiences, was that a career in fine art demanded a focused commitment as well as patience. The challenge and adventure that this career path promised was hard for me to resist.

My love of the outdoors, and particularly wildlife studies were considerations when I was still looking for direction in the fine arts. I was completely awed the first time I witnessed an engraver plying his trade. The control and mastery of his cutting, and the examples of intricate scroll and animal portraits struck a chord in my soul that remains to this day. I had studied print engravers and etchers works while in Art College, but seeing it demonstrated first hand created a connection of sorts in my mind.

I enjoy working with metal, so coupling that with an appreciation for high-end firearms and custom knives eventually made the engravers art my vocation of choice. It was not long after that when I began the journey that led me to the place where I find myself today in the engraving art world. That adventure connected me to many artists that share a common philosophy, that is, strive for your personal best.

My vocational path also led me to the Knife Network forums where I co-host the Fine Embellishment forum with fellow engraver Jim Small. The opportunity to give back and share my experience is one way of honoring those benefactors that freely gave of their hard-learned knowledge.

It is personally rewarding to assist fellow artisans in overcoming the learning curve necessary to pursue the engravers vocation. From the feedback I receive, it is clear that we are witnessing a renaissance within the engraving trade in this country.

I feel that American engravers are finally gaining the recognition that their European contemporaries possess, and I am very proud to be part of that movement.

Tim Adlam