Stories Behind the Art

"I love to see the hostas each summer when I walk in my neighborhood. Each year the flowers get bigger, the leaves larger as they come back in greater profusion."

This painting captures the simple joy of observing nature's cycles in my adopted home of Wisconsin. The white blooms against the deep blue sky remind me that beauty can be found anywhere, that growth and renewal are universal experiences that transcend geography.

This vibrant scene captures a moment where traditional Caribbean life meets modern technology. An elderly woman, interrupted while picking callaloo bush for Sunday lunch, takes a phone call as a man continues working in the background.

The painting celebrates the enduring importance of callaloo in Trinidad culture - a thick, chowder-like soup made with okra, coconut milk, salted pork or crab, traditionally served with white rice as a Sunday staple. It's a dish that brings families together and connects us to our heritage.

One highlight of the annual Trinidad Carnival is the Panorama steel orchestra, a competition where all steel bands vie for championship. The steel pan was invented in Trinidad, and it has multiple musical moods - from classical arrangements to jazz compositions developed specifically for the instrument.

Through dramatic lighting and rich golden tones contrasting with deep shadows, I've tried to capture the jazzy overtone and electric energy of these performances. The musicians' focused concentration and the gleaming steel drums create a visual rhythm that mirrors the music itself.

"During a walk on Ocean Beach, San Diego I saw an elderly woman digging in a garbage can for food scraps. She came prepared with gloves and a pair of tongs, she rooted around in discarded food cartons and when she found food, she would toss it out."

This touching scene captures an act of compassion that transcends circumstances. The woman's dedication to feeding the birds - coming prepared with proper tools - transforms what might seem like a simple act into something profound. The swirling seagulls and coastal setting create a dynamic composition that celebrates both human kindness and nature's eager response.

This vibrant, explosive composition captures the energy and cultural fusion of Trinidad Carnival. The Moko Jumbie, a towering stilt-walking figure with roots in West African tradition, represents the beautiful blending of cultures that defines Caribbean identity.

Through bold, swirling colors and dynamic brushstrokes, the painting embodies the spirit of carnival - where ancient traditions meet contemporary celebration, where individual cultures merge into something entirely new yet deeply rooted in history. The abstract elements suggest movement, music, and the transformative power of masquerade.

This striking composition draws from traditional artistic styles to honor ancestral heritage and cultural identity. The bold geometric patterns and rich earth tones create a powerful visual narrative that speaks to the dignity and strength of our forebears.

The ceremonial figure, rendered in profile with elaborate regalia, represents the connection between past and present. The decorative border elements and symbolic patterns throughout the composition celebrate the artistic traditions that have been passed down through generations, reminding us of the royal lineage that flows through all of us.

"The calypso has African roots in terms of music, structure, and function. Its traditions of improvised songs of self-praise and scorn for others remains in the art form as does the storytelling aspect of the genre."

This vibrant painting captures the joy and cultural significance of the griot tradition. The figure, adorned in Rastafarian colors and holding a shekere (gourd instrument), embodies the connection between West African storytelling traditions and Caribbean calypso culture. The artist recalls: "Many years ago, I saw a griot, an African storyteller perform with a shekere - that experience remains with me."

The painting celebrates the role of the storyteller as cultural keeper, connecting the calypsonian tradition with its African roots through music, narrative, and the preservation of collective memory.