I do not work from direct references, but mostly the memory of looking and examining. Memories spark other memories, and the feelings that come up create new events in paint. Sometimes I draw to find images, and use the drawings as points of reference. I tend to reduce the image to an iconic, flat shape that can be infinitely generated. Something recognizable repeats itself, moving into abstraction or representing something that it is not, such as a part of the architecture, the environment or landscape.

The accumulation of the many paintings begins to create new patterns, shapes, rhythms, stories, places. Depending on how close or far away they are hung from each other, the visual relationships become lively.

Many paintings of similar shapes when hung together become a pattern and are at once single paintings and one large work. Close together or far apart—talking to each other with the variety in their voices that is magnified and amplified, softened or made complete through the visual connections with their community. The accumulation of the paintings emphasizes itself into one louder voice but can, at any time, reconfigure or break off on its own for some privacy.

I think of the wall as a stage where all the players can live, and like the stage things shift around and can take many configurations. Those players come and go, and you get to know them. Similar to a closet or a clothing store—you are given outfit ideas, but you can switch things around. You can make choices that might be unlikely. You can go home and combine the new thing with the old.