In my paintings I try to create a convincing fictional world that is particular and personal as well as universal and symbolic. Everything I select to paint plays a part in a general narrative-- a fictionalized autobiography-- and carries a history of personal and metaphorical references.

The Feed Store for example, is based on childhood memories of my father's feed store, where I used to mind the store on Saturdays and while away time whittling and drawing. It contains two self-portraits at different ages compressed into the same picture. The adult me sits in a chair absorbed in whittling and remembering the past. Standing in the storefront window and looking out on the landscape is me as a child. The landscape seen through the window is projection of the child's fantasy.

A lot of my paintings have an aura of nostalgia, due to the vintage costumes and sets. Beyond that I like to use things like tuxedos for their emblematic qualities and metaphorical references. For example, the top hat, white tie, and tails that I am wearing in Best Cat are instantly recognizable, functioning like a sign or symbol. They also have many subjective associations, such as magicians, orchestra conductors, and circus ringmasters, as well as affluence and high culture. These costumes and sets also help to fictionalize the autobiographical events that they are based on. They are the icons of my personal mythology.