Carlin, David, b. 1944. He was trained at the Detroit Society for the Arts and Crafts (now known as The Detroit Society for Creative Studies) from 1962-1967. He majored in industrial design and fine arts. After moving to San Francisco in 1967, he was exposed to the Avery Brundage Museum Collection of Japanese Art. Here he became a student of "Netsuke," the unique small sculpture of the Japanese culture. Ten years learning the techniques and aesthetics of the craft were spent before the first of more than 750 netsuke-related objects were created. Over 35 years later, these works are known internationally through collections shown in dozens of museums and galleries.