Todd learned the art of fetish carving mostly on his own. An aunt made a small bear for him to use as a guide, and from there he developed his own talent and style. His knowledge of rocks came from geology classes he took as a Geological Engineering student.

Todd has won numerous awards for his work, including several from the Museum of Northern Arizona. In recent years, a number of books about Zuni Fetishes feature his pieces, demonstrating his arrival as one of the more after sought carvers. His Dolomite Buffalo was selected to grace the cover of the book, A Guide to Zuni Fetishes and Carvings, Volume 2, by Kent McManis.

He has been invited to do presentations and demonstration on Zuni Fetishes at numerous locations: The Indian Craft Shop at the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Washington D.C; The Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona; Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado; numerous art galleries in the U.S. Additionally, he was appointed to the Zuni Arts Certification Commission.

                                                   Todd's Artist Statement

"Since a fetish is believed to have a spirit, as though it were alive, I want people to get a sense of security and happiness from my carvings … Whenever I’m about to work, I put my worries aside and try to have only good thoughts so that those would be passed onto anyone who comes in contact with the fetishes … I’ve always enjoyed collecting unusual rocks. Now, in addition to collecting them, I give them a new life. Earlier influences and my imagination play a big role in transforming ordinary rocks into different fetishes."