For many years my studio practice has been fueled by location, and by the everyday experiences that feed my visual vocabulary. In my everyday life and as I travel, I am driven by the architecture, color, and temperature of the sky, art, and individuals I encounter. These experiences are sifted through and ruminated on during my time in the studio. I sort through these magic moments and try to make sense of them as I analyze what about those particular places and people affected me so.

My project in Rome would be to immerse myself in one of the most historically significant places in the world, in particular to seek out what it is about the amazing region that has served centuries of artists as fodder for their rich creative practices. When I was in Rome in 2000 for just four days, I filled sketchbook after sketchbook. As I left, my brain felt full, as if I had over consumed at an all-you-can-see-buffet. The Rome Prize would allow me to spend slow time in that wonderful place.