My current focus is painting "Mom and Pop" stores and restaurants in South Jersey and Philadelphia. Highlighting these struggling establishments in our communities is my goal. I find beauty in the quirky window signs and imperfections. These places are what make one community separate and unique from others across our country. My small business -- creating and selling art -- has brought both success and failure over the past 13 years. As such, I have empathy for the local Main Street businesses. Knowing and being known by the butcher, banker, and bike shop owner is a lost value today.

I love John's Italian Ice in Philly, only four flavors…made fresh daily. I love Frank Letto's Barber Shop with the stuffed marlin on one wall and postcards from loyal clients glued to the walls. I love Jim, at Ralph's Deli, who lets me put my artwork in the windows.

For the past two years I have focused on South Jersey; now I move on to Philadelphia. Capturing the colorful businesses in the Italian Market and China Town will be my goal for the years ahead. In the winter I do portraits and still life. Perhaps my multi-cultural, outdoor artistic experience during the warm weather will inform my indoor still life work this winter….a plate of fortune cookies and meatballs is always a possibility!