Paul grew up on the water, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in the 50’s in what was still, then, wooden boat country. Like so many other kids who got to experience this wonderful environment, he was a sponge that soaked it all up. When Paul was nine, his dad came home with an ancient barnegat sneak box sailboat he’d gotten at auction for twelve bucks. It was complete, sail rig, oars and sculling sweep, all in authentic OD green finish. Dad didn’t know how to sail so Paul had to figure it out himself, much to his satisfaction and his dad's horror. From that point on sailing became a major part of paul's life including the scraping, painting, caulking and bailing ... Boat construction and design also fascinated Paul. By some act of fortuitous good fortune Paul's home was situated near two notable boat yards, Jim Richardson's, known for his exquisitely constructed baycraft and Bill Dickerson's, for his notable Dickerson 32 and 35 ketches, as well as having H.I. Chapelle, for a neighbor.

"Chapie" gladly showed Paul how to draw fair lines with ducks and splines. But, another neighbor, Dale Price Sr. restored steam cars and engines for the Smithsonian. Paul was equally fascinated with the way that machinery worked. Paul became a marine engineer, first in the navy and then in the merchant marine. But, since life doesn’t always go where it’s pointed, Paul ultimately wound up in the desert Southwest without a boat. And, there, after a period of time being utterly miserable and seeming to enjoy it, he finally got myself around to began the journey back to an activity he enjoyed as a boy, drawing boats.