My expressive figure paintings, drawings, and collages always begin with drawing from live models.  I start with media that are swift and sensual, and work quickly to capture the model's body, face, expression, or mood.  I may leave this spontaneous portrayal as the completed figure drawing, or I may work the drawing into a complex painting or collage, often playful, energized with patterns.  Many of my most unique and expressive figure paintings combine drawing, painting, and pastel with collage, with the figure embedded in complex and sophisticated visual compositions that play with dimensional illusions.  Most viewers consider the patterns around the figure to be an expression of his/her thoughts or emotions, and how the figure interacts with the surroundings and the edges of the picture frame is usually a major feature.  My stylistic inspiration comes from powerful realists like Michelangelo, as well as from masters of color and sensuality like Gauguin, Klimt, Matisse, Degas, and Van Gogh.  Contemporary figure painting has branched off in many new directions, but it always adapts to the times and retains its universal and timeless appeal.