Bill Starkey

The reporter, Trisha, and I headed to Galt for a Lodi Living cover assignment. Apparently he was a folk artist from Oklahoma who had migrated to Galt. As a folk artist he hand crafted mandolins - his first being made from a cigar box.He used materials such as popsicle sticks, woks, human hair - everything he could get his hands on. It was one of those days where you'd like to just sit all day in his presence soaking up his history. Since the story was done in 2003, Mr. Starkey has since past. But I think of him often and have photos that have sentinmental emotions. One of the photos was on display at the Women in Photojournalism conference the following year.

JENNIFER M. HOWELL/NEWS-SENTINEL
Eighty-eight-year-old folk artist Bill Starkey of Galt plays the mandolin in his garage.

JENNIFER M. HOWELL/NEWS-SENTINEL
Folk artist Bill Starkey of Galt shows off one of his creations as he is reflected in mirrors his collected over the years in his garage.

JENNIFER M. HOWELL/NEWS-SENTINEL
The worn hands of folk artist Bill Starkey of Galt holding his own creation of a mandolin.

JENNIFER M. HOWELL/NEWS-SENTINEL
Bill Starkey of Galt holds one of his unfinished folk pieces in his garage. The 88-year-old folk artist has made musical instruments out of a variety of materials such as pigs' troughs, human hair and cement.

JENNIFER M. HOWELL/NEWS-SENTINEL
Eighty-eight-year-old folk artist Bill Starkey plays the mandolin while tapping his foot along with the beat in his garage.

JENNIFER M. HOWELL/NEWS-SENTINEL
With a toothless grin, 88-year-old folk artist Bill Starkey of Galt stands with some of his instruments hanging in the bakground.