I have chosen Batik as the form to express my artistic vision because it offers challenges unique to this medium. One challenge lies in the element of surprise. There are organic variables at work in the interaction of dyes, wax and heat on cloth or wood, so a painting holds its own mystery until the final outcome. It reveals itself only by stages until the moment the last traces of wax are removed. It is only in this moment that I learn all the secrets within a painting. I am not in total control. Therefore, the creative process behind each painting becomes a fascinating journey of discovery for me.

Another challenge is that I am utilizing a centuries old technique in the creation of modern art. This poses an interesting contradiction in terms. The challenge lies in finding the unity within this contradiction so that this ancient tradition, in all its rich authenticity, asserts its place in the dynamic momentum of the future. Then, limitations and stereotypes are transcended and a new dimension of art is possible. This is what fuels my passion and motivates me to explore many directions in style and subject matter. From the sway of boats harbored in Cape Cod to the wet heat of a lush jungle in Java. From the memory of my first walk in Yosemite to the power of a Native American ritual. All these inspirations, these moments of something extraordinary, drive me to capture their impact, to voice the emotion they stirred. And using the tools of my ancestors and a canvas of wood or cloth, I present them now, to you.