As a professor of fabric design at the University of Georgia, he often discusses the meaning of mastery with his students.

Currently, this is a constant battle with students. He attempts to convey what craft is, what craftsmanship means, what fine craft is. This part of teaching is more difficult than it was fifteen years ago. Now, students are willing to accept mistakes and ineptitude and claim that it is part of their individual expression. Mastery is being able to apply oneself with confidence and convey the idea that the work is well made. It includes doing the best one can. His current work, however, is quick and fast as opposed to labor-intensive work at other times in his career.

He would like to add that mastery should apply to one’s total effort. The old mantra of "process, materials, and concept" applies here as well. We must be masters of all of these for true success.