Dan Snow, GMB, classifies himself as a Constructionist (his own term). He is an artist, with aesthetic roots in Constructivism, the early 20th century Russian abstract art movement, and a tradesman, one specifically designing and building dry stone structures.

His tradesman career began in 1972 when he became tired of riding his bicycle around Italy to look at art, and stopped to work for three months on the reconstruction of a 13th century castle for room and board. The rudimentary masonry skills he learned there were useful to him after he returned home. He pestered John Regan, master mason, until John allowed Dan to help him on some of his jobs.

After four years, Dan whittled down the varied aspects of general masonry he was professionally involved in to one: dry stone walling. He restored collapsed dry stone building foundations and constructed new retaining walls. In 1986 he traveled to Scotland to work a summer with master “dry stane dyker”, Dave Goulder. From then on his walling business expanded in scope but not in size as he continued to work alone on more and more interesting projects. He has built stock-proof farm fences, steps, staircases and stiles. He has created grottos, pyramids and grandstands. Dan has fashioned dry stone.

In 2001 he authored IN THE COMPANY OF STONE, a book of his work with photographs by Peter Mauss.

Dan has been strongly supported in his work by the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain. He has been a certificate holding member since 1994 and Craftsman Certification Scheme Examiner for the DSWA since 2002.

His artist career began when, as a boy, Dan lost himself, for hours on end, in drawing and painting. From 1963 to 1969 he won prizes in the Brattleboro Sidewalk Art Show. His high school art teacher, George Laine, encouraged him to apply to Pratt Institute where he studied art and design for three years until dropping out and going to Italy to look at art.

Dan lives in Windham County, Vermont where he was born and raised (GMB = Green Mountain Boy).