I ask the question: How can I construct a picture that will keep a viewer lingering, then returning to discover something new? Using the tools of composition, my intention is to lead the viewer through the painting. I choose images that pertain to sustenance – food and objects related to it, the nourishment and mystery of flowers and how we live our lives. My overall intention is informal, with a reminder of the beauty of the familiar. On a recent trip to Italy, I saw mosaics and frescoes that were unearthed at Pompeii. The images were of objects pertaining to daily life: food, flowers, dishes and utensils. If my paintings were unearthed in the distant future, I hope they would reflect life at this time.