When I go to my studio I contemplate current events—personal, political, and social—not always in that order or in conjunction. It is my battleground of observation, interpretation, and application. The media and supports I use are evolutionary. Lately in my studio I've been exploring my thoughts with blowtorches, wax, varnish, and pigment on wood panel. I use multi-step, involved processes to create distinctive visual compositions that serve as metaphors for contemporary issues. Many layers of thought, of ideas that contrast, compliment, and even contradict go into making what I know and believe the same way complementary and contrasting elements make up a composition. My hope is that the viewer understands there is a story beyond the simplicity of the composition and can enjoy a contemplative moment and interaction with the work.