A native Californian, born in 1949 and currently living in Nevada City, Ca., Ernest has been sculpting professionally since 1976. As a self-taught sculptor, he worked for seven years in wood, creating many architectural works-- from murals and mantels to archways and doors. He also carved magical faces in pine knots and driftwood that he gathered from the forests and rivers of the Sierra Mountains. Numerous awards and over a thousand faces later, Ernest made the shift to bronze, a medium in which he found a greater freedom of expression. In addition to his numerous limited-edition sculptures, there are several life size bronze portraits for private, corporate clients and a monumental, larger-than-life bronze mermaid.

In 1988, a major transition occurred with the beginning of Ernest's exploration into the world of clear acrylic (lucite). With this new medium, a sculpture now has the added dimension of light, both on the surface and through the sculpture itself. Ernest believes that mythological imagery cast in this material actually makes the spirit within the artwork more accessible to the viewer.