I find that painting in a series challenges me to create more dynamic designs using the same elements, and to capture a day in the life of an artist. For this piece I used a reference photo taken many years ago. Sometimes I use more than one photo when I initially pencil in the composition, adding or subtracting elements by an intuitive process. Over the years I have collected many brushes, palettes and pigments and other still life materials. I prefer using materials that are handy, instead of going on location and searching for the perfect scene.