Thanks for pointing me here, Rodrigo. I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating story. I also learned a lot more about you.

Your description of the model shop is a lot closer to my working life. At one point I started a custom furniture design & build company. I thought it would be interesting work. And it was on some levels. Though the actual 'build' part soon became routine and mostly boring work. So much is about just making parts, and lots of them, and they're all the same.

I enjoyed photographing the finished pieces much more than building them.

Today I am grateful to be using my talents to create images and string words together. So much more satisfying.