When I am working on a painting or drawing, I do a lot of sketching first. If I cannot find certain images that I am looking for, I generally go through my file of photographs or magazine cutouts. Then I become the conductor of the painting, I place these objects in as natural a setting as possible. I compose several drafts with graphite or soft pastel before the final work is committed to paper. The colors that I use are not arbitrary, they are based on nature. Some are exaggerated and others brighten it. When I lighten or darken a painting, I use the complementary colors and avoid the use of black.

Felines, flowers, fruit and fish are constant themes in my paintings.I paint the things I know and enjoy. The cats are mostly my cats with some from friends and neighbors. Koi are from my pond and flowers and fruits are from my garden.

Recently, I discovered Japanese brush painting called "Sumi-e". I use this media to paint my objects. Sometimes I use black ink only and other times I use black with just one or two colors to enhance the center of interest. "Sumi-e" is a very spontaneous art form. The ink flows quickly into the rice paper and becomes permanent. It is not made of rice, but it’s a lot thinner than regular paper. It absorbs ink quicker than traditional watercolor paper. You can not lift it, move it around, or completely cover it. Every stroke shows. There is no correcting or erasing. I like "Sumi-e" painting because it gives me an art form of new freedom.