I am working on a series of paintings and prints that are inspired by sensual aspects within artistic cultures of the east. Within my art I am focusing on the use of erotic and spiritual playfulness to create a sense of the sacred. Some of my recent inspirations are the temple dancers on Indian shrines (sculpture) and the Sufi's (Whirling Dervishes) of Turkey. It is the Sufi's mystical whirling dance that mesmerized me many years ago and still inspires a feeling of spiritual connectedness in me today. These dancers, whether they be living or made of stone represent the unification of the elements of the otherworldly (God) with the worldly (sensuality). If I can portray this ideal of sensuality within my paintings, then I will have reached my goal. This unification of the spiritually playful and earthly may not be an easy process, but perhaps through the use of color, form and content I will be one step closer to understanding its importance within my own art making process.