When did you realize that you wanted to pursue an artistic career, and what influenced your decision? I realized that I wanted to be a painter when I first saw John Singer Sargent’s painting “Incense,” at the Williamsburg Art Museum in the late 1970’s. I saw that a single piece of art could communicate both delicacy and power. I experienced a greater form of communication than from my two other artistic pursuits: music and writing. Are there artists that have particularly inspired you? I have been most inspired by artists Wyeth, Dali and Sargent. Wyeth: the ultimate human touch. Dali: Magic! Sargent: The juxtaposition of force vs. gentleness. What are some of the greatest joys of being an artist? What I enjoy most about being an artist is the opportunity to allow my imagination to run wild. What 3 adjectives would you use to describe your work or yourself as an artist? Humorous, optimistic and classical. Do you have a muse or other source of consistent inspiration? My dog and other animals are my main muse. I love watching how they react to life and how they naturally do things. I also find great wisdom in studying the symbolism and meaning of the early languages of Greek, Latin and Hebrew. Describe a typical day in your studio. My typical day starts when my dog Oboe jumps on me at 7 am. I feed and walk her, and get the coffee and adrenalin going. I take care of business matters in the morning: dealing with art sales, filling orders for my book, my CD and my oboe reeds. I practice my oboe, while playing with still life set ups and ideas. I may also prepare panels or stretch canvases. By 10:30, the light in my studio is excellent. I then paint until the light gets too dim and begins to distort the objects’ colors. In the evening, I often teach oboe or art, rehearse or perform a concert. What leisure activities do you enjoy? I enjoy time with my dog Oboe. I work out. Sometimes I simply watch a favorite TV show or movie. Truly, I am a worker bee, and not much one for leisure. Have there been particular highlights of your artistic career? I was recently elected as a member of The Saint Botolph Club in Boston – quite an honor to be accepted for an artist. In 2005, I was awarded a prize at the prestigious Salmagundi Club in New York City. But I must say that the very best highlight of my career is the ongoing experience of enthusiastic discourse with art lovers and collectors. What would you like your paintings to convey to a collector? When my art is viewed, I would like a collector to find a secret place within them where they discover the knowledge and truth of joy, optimism, humor and playfulness, as well as a sense of classical balance and beauty. Finally, what question would you have enjoyed an opportunity to answer? “Is your work mainly about ideas, content or metaphor?” Although the objects I use are recognizable, I use metaphors to create an action scene in which a definite story, or morality is depicted. I think of myself in the continuation of the great 16th century Vanitas tradition, in which the fragility of life and affects of time are played out in the relationship of objects selected for a still life painting.