I endeavor to render paintings real and authentic from direct observation of the subject. A painting’s pictorial language determines to what extent this authenticity is validated or not. In the Spring of 2018 I began paintings based on tree bark, fascinated by the color, layering, texture and design. These layers mimic paint layers in beautiful ways and my intention has been to bring the physicality, color and pattern of the bark to paint. These paintings are done from the subject in my studio.