Dan Tregarthen is a self-taught woodcrafter who was inspired by his father. An incident in 1972 led him to woodcarving. He was looking for a way to display an antique shotgun when he stumbled on an American Eagle with outspread wings. He copied it in wood using only a chisel that his father had given him. His initial success lead to more pieces and more tools. During the United State's Bicentennial years, Dan taught wood carving classes at L.A. Harbor College. He used redwood, walnut and other woods to create pieces in relief and in the round. A few sold. He showed at a few art shows and received some publicity in the San Pedro News Pilot (Now the Daily Breeze). He was influenced by early American carvers who were from the ship building industry. Most of his work was traditional: boats, eagles, the American Emblem. He was able to finance his woodcraft while working his “day-job” on the LAPD and later his own company. In about 1992, the purchase of an antique grandfather clock became another pivotal incident in his woodcraft. The clock was an Arts and Craft piece in the style of Gustav Stickley. It inspired Dan to create Mission Style furniture and other pieces. While his work has been by commission and following plans and/or customer specifications, he now improves on designs or develops his own creations. One of his original pieces is a maple rocking chair that features black seat belt straps.  He was born, raised and continues to reside in the Harbor Area: graduating from Narbonne High School, L.A. Harbor College, the Los Angeles Police Academy and Pepperdine University.

He resides in Rancho Palos Verdes with Lois, his wife of 53 years. Dan can be reached at (310) 629-7181