An apology is in order.

The matter for apology is Austin’s wish to share his wonder and delight in the profound world around him.   Would that he could provoke the desire in others to steal time from this crazily busy world around them to stop and smell the proverbial roses.

After 73 years of wandering around the desert of life Austin meandered into illustrating, writing and listening to his minature dachshund Winston howl when Austin dared to attempt jazz piano.  Apart from being the grandson of little known American artist Carl Schmitt (carlschmitt.org) Winston possesses the only pedigree in the family.

Austin was born and raised in southwest Connecticut until  at 17 he found himself in the roaring metropolis of Harrisville New Hampshire attending his Uncle’s Hogwartish boarding school … a special place in a special time. Two years later Austin matriculated at Georgetown University remaining in the DC metro area for the next 53 years.

During those decades Austin managed to beguile and marry his beloved and persevering wife Patty.  Together they raised seven wonderful children while Austin earned a Ph.D. in economics at The George Washington University, retired after 41 years with a gold medal in leadership as a federal executive in international shipping,  built a highly successful award-winning residential remodeling company and in 2020 settled into an isolated 1802 farmhouse in rural central VA.

Note the total absence of even the remotest claim to illustrating or writing in Austin’s resume (other than life dishing him up it’s delectables and destables).  He accordingly apologizes in advance for any subsequent pain in over exposure – or any exposure for that matter – to his work.