Paul Barker, founder of Googleplex, grew up in steamy New Orleans.

He worked his way through the University of Dallas by sailing on rustbucket ships as a Merchant Marine Seaman, earning his Fine Arts degree in 1969.

He commanded an infantry platoon as an officer with the First Marine Division in Vietnam and, surviving that, taught elementary school in British Columbia and southern California, which he also survived.

He did high-end custom cabinetry in Chicago until he returned to art and founded Googleplex in 1985.

He lives in Evanston, a Chicago suburb, and spends his discretionary time making models, writing a memoir, overdoing Halloween, and getting to know my six grandchildren.

You can reach Paul by email at paul@googleplexmurals.com.