Most artist statements begin with "ever since I was a child, I knew I wanted to be an artist". Well, you'd think that after I won the East Rochester Volunteer Ambulance Corps Ham Festival Dinner Poster Contest in 7th grade, I would have clearly seen my future career path; but I didn't. Although I was always making stuff, painting, designing clothes, knitting, making jewelry, etc., my career took some long detours before I became a full-time artist, including seven years of studying Chinese, a 30-year career as a graphic designer. However, at each fork in the road, I turned more fully toward painting — toward what I love.What do I love about it? I love the possibilities of a few new tubes of paint, a handful of good brushes, a blank canvas, and the glimmer of what I hope might be a promising idea. Of course, then comes the hard work, all the decisions. Pale or dark? Thick or thin? Loose or tight? Flat or dimensional? Edges? Patterns? Lines? Textures? Shadows? Each painting is the accumulated result of a thousand decisions. What is my process? Don't ask me; all I know is that I love being up to my elbows in it.