The work currently on view here is focused on achieving distillations of various themes or ideas. I use a minimal number of image-associations to express these ideas in some essential form. By means of traditional, conventional painting, otherwise-difficult or controversial topics can be presented to the viewer in an approachable manner. An irrepressible iconoclast by nature, I consider everything from public figures and art-world celebrities, to established religion and our own wading-pool-shallow culture as fair game in my work. Although many of the images are ostensibly humorous, disquieting implications often become apparent; gravitas mingled with levity. In short, they're intended as meditations on the tragicomic aspect of life. Although admittedly provocative, the work is not blatantly offensive. Viewers can obviously choose whether to consider my implications and/or their own inferences without being shocked into doing so. Ideally, their reaction to the work will at least make them forget about whether or not a particular painting goes well with their furniture... ;)