I‘ve always been fascinated by old and antique toys, hand tools and the like. I came across this yellow metal biplane on eBay, and once I acquired it, had to figure out what to do with it. Since it’s a flying machine, I didn’t want it to just sit on a flat surface, so out came the kitchen twine, and up it went! The workbench is one my father had made 60-some years ago, and the arrowback colonial came from my father’s older sister, while the tin fire truck had belonged to my older brother.

When I’m starting a painting, I look at the color of the various components and imagine how they can be placed within the composition to create interest and drama. I’m also interested in how different lighting approaches can heighten the visual experience. For example, the use of a yellow floodlight in this arrangement dramatically heightens the character of the individual objects and contributes to the illusion of depth, creating a more engaging visual experience for the viewer. Completed in 2022, this piece is oil on canvas, 36"h X 48"w, and is framed.