My philosophy has always been to paint what is closest to my heart. I believe that only by being passionate and involved with what I am doing can the spirit of the subject matter transcend the paint. And so, what I paint is constantly influenced by my surroundings and experiences. In the past few years I have realized a lifelong dream to travel… first to new parts of the United States and more recently, to Italy, the land of my heritage. I become a “mad photographer” on these trips, and if we happen to be on a trip tour, I am forever lagging behind the others… ducking down alleys and around corners looking for photo opportunities and then running to catch up with the group.

On one of these excursions I was particularly frustrated because I couldn't get our guide to give me time and place to meet them later. We happened to be in Siena for the day and I just wanted to wander and explore on my own. As she was leading the group into the main piazza, II Campo, we could see that it was being set up for a festa that would occur the next day. There were viewing stands placed all around the perimeter and as we passed under the stands I saw incredible patterns of light filtering through the slats and falling across a jumble of folding chairs stored beneath. The chairs had ornate ironwork as part of their design and the light filtered across these beautiful chairs and fell onto the ancient bricks creating a breathtaking play of light and dark. I stayed under the stands and shot close to two rolls of film.

As I emerged and was walking from the group… (fortunately, the guide had a lot to lecture about and they were still there)…I heard one man say, “she must see something that we don't”! I thought about his words later that night and I have to say that I believe his comment was one of the most valuable things that I took home with me from that trip. He put into words what I had been unable to articulate. This is my focus. When a painting is finished can I say to myself that I made something happen….did I paint something I saw, that others did not……