ARTIST STATEMENT "I am not always sure where the inspiration for my artwork comes from other than wanting to give the viewer another excuse for looking at some of the things I find fascinating in the world around us. My career and passion has been the teaching of middle school students. In 33 years of teaching, I have found drawing to be an outlet for the sense of humor and curiosity I witness each day in my classroom. I continue to be amazed at what can be accomplished with color pencils. At this point, I work almost exclusively in this medium with occasional expressions in charcoal." ABOUTPaul Van Heest, a resident of nearby Holland, Michigan, uses graphite and color pencil to create glimpses into a beautifully quirky world. Playing on obscure and amusing phobias, stories, and concepts, he ‘draws’ you into his imaginary tales. Van Heest taught art primarily at the middle school level for 33 years. His art is an outlet for his unique and ironic sense of humor. There is so much more to see in the artwork that is best seen in person.