 He studied art at Cooper Union in New York City and continued his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and later with Josef Albers at the University of Hawaii.While still a student, he went to work during summer vacation in the art department of a San Francisco engraving firm, which led to his start as a color etcher.In 1937, he came to Honolulu under a year's contract as a photo-engraver working for "Paradise of the Pacific" magazine.