My work is about the environment although the message may not be straightforward. Throughout this horrific pandemic year, I had hope that at least the environment would benefit from cleaner air. Sadly, I feel that we did not learn from the temporary forced changes in our daily routines. These works began as an exploration of new acrylic mediums and cold wax. By understanding their characteristics — viscosity, texture, opacity, transparency, and drying times, I was able to push their inherent limitations. Little subtleties emerged through the process of application and exploration. My work is informed by the natural world plus discarded weathered man-made found objects. Once isolated, they take on a new importance. I use portals as a universal symbol to reveal vistas, intimate spaces, ideas, revelations or spiritual and fantastical mysteries. The viewer is presented with an image somewhere between reality and fantasy.