As a painter I love the opportunity to communicate something to a viewer. I also love the physical act of applying paint on a canvas. This series allows me the pleasure of doing both.

While many of the images appear childlike and innocent at first, many have an underlying, sometimes darker, psychological undercurrent. The viewer may initially respond to the playfulness, but upon closer look they may find that there is more there than first meets the eye.

I begin by selecting a drawing to work from. This editing process can take a while. I modify the drawing, making changes for form as necessary, which includes; modifying shapes, how different lines connect - actually and visually, select a color palette, and make changes for scale.

The outline is done first. Line has always been an integral part of my work. I begin with a pencil drawing that I then paint with a thin, wavering black line. I then begin adding the color in a painterly fashion. As there is no real background, I have to use color to integrate the figure with the ground. The choice of colors is critical to each piece.

I feel that these figures connect with people, make them smile, and bring some innocence back into their lives in the midst of this busy, hectic world.