While working, he'll often be putting color on a bronze statue one minute and shaping a steel one the next. When he wants to let his mind rest, he works on a cabinet he made for his wife from camphor, teak, and Formosan michelia wood. All the pieces are jointed and no nails are used. He is completely self-taught but his craftsmanship is flawless.
工作時，楊茂林常常這邊為銅雕上色、那邊打磨鋼雕，若要讓腦袋休息，就做起幫太太量身打造，以樟木、柚木、烏心石為材料的木作衣櫥，全部榫接、沒用一根釘子，完全無師自通，工藝純熟。