Vern is a self-taught artist. He learned the art of carving by watching his numerous artistic relatives (for instance, his uncle is the famed Kachina carver Alvin James Makya), and taught himself their methods as well as developing his own. He first carved Kachinas as a means of carrying on a religious rite. He began carving the dolls for sale and entering shows in 1979. Since that time he has developed a reputation for ultra-fine detail, as well as beautiful balance in his Kachinas. He has won awards in such prestigious shows as the Santa Fe Indian Market. Vern’s Hopi name is Kuwanwisiwima, for which he did not volunteer a translation into English.