"A painting does not begin with the first touch of oil and brush to canvas. Instead, the painting begins with the cutting of wood, and tearing of cloth to be stretched and layered. These are the bones and understructure of the body of the painting. As the object grows and matures, paint is applied with direct marks. Some thick, some thin. These are the tissues and muscles of the painting. Some marks are applied with a brush, some applied with scrapes and gouges from tools, wood, or putty knives. As the body of the painting grows, so does its voice. The painter listens to this voice, and imposes onto the painting what he wants, but the painting tells him what it needs. The last layer of paint is applied and the painting’s skin has been created. It shows where the painting has gone, and what it has become. The surface of a painting records and captures the history of marks, concessions, and layers of paint. This skin is created from a structure or process that overtime allows the skin and the painting itself to grow, which becomes something more."