An incredible location in New Zealand served as the inspiration for a painting that holds special meaning to me. In 2005, I was working in that country as a character animator on Peter Jackson's King Kong movie, spending long hours behind a computer screen at the studio. To unwind from the demanding work, I occasionally wandered through the Wellington Botanic Gardens during my rare free moments. The magnificent trees intrigued me, and I captured their beauty with my camera. Years later, I decided to recreate those memories on canvas, drawing inspiration from the photographs I had taken.

Smilodon, the iconic saber-toothed cat, has fascinated me since I was a child. What an incredible creature! Many talented artists have portrayed Smilodon since its discovery in the fossil record. Inspired by their efforts, I decided to create my own version of this prehistoric predator in its natural habitat: Southern California, over 10,000 years ago.

Since 1974, every one of my paintings has been signed differently, a technique that is certainly contrary to the norm. While this has been my modus operandi over the years, I had never given it much thought until recently when I started reflecting on how my unique way relates to the entire concept of artists’ signatures in general.

Over the years, I have incorporated waterfalls into many of my paintings, but this was the first time I featured one as the main subject. This piece, Cascade, was my rendition of the Meyberg Waterfall at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. The stunning scenery offered numerous points of interest to capture in paint, and I deepened my understanding of the nature of water through the experience.

Typically, my paintings are rooted in metaphysical or psychological concepts, and while a landscape may play a role in the composition, it is usually secondary to the central idea. I wanted to break from this tradition and create a few landscape paintings purely for their aesthetic beauty. One such piece is Shaded Grove, which was inspired by a view from Descanso Gardens in Southern California.

This symbolic painting depicts the meeting of two opposites. Taking place in a desolate landscape, the personification of matter rises from the ground, reaching out to a celestial force.