I’m always fascinated by old and antique toys, hand tools and the like, along with balls of all size and colors. This wooden Donald Duck pull toy from the 1950s was found in the attic of my parent’s home... I don’t ever recall it having been mine, so I presume it belonged to my older siblings. It has the perfect combination of shape, color, and playfulness that I find interesting, and it has made an appearance in several of my paintings since I returned to painting back in 2010.

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, reinforces the illusion of depth, and creates a more engaging visual experience for the viewer. The snaking orange extension cord allows me to introduce new color throughout the composition, while also directing the viewer’s eye around the canvas.

Completed in 2023, this piece is oil on linen, 24"h x 30"w, and is framed.