Polaroids allow me to see myself, perhaps as others see me.  Without distortions, without cover-ups.  Exposure in the simplest, quickest form.  After viewing the images I paint, scratch, cover up those areas which reveal too much.  They will forever be there, underneath the surface, but only I know what is being hidden.  There is a sense of mystery contained in these small intimate objects.

Notes on technique:  I take an exacto blade to some of the images and carefully cut out the back to expose the ‘negative image’ on the inside. I then brush over the surface of the picture with a glue mixture... let that dry, and then apply inks, watercolors and  markers  - yet always leave part of the original image visible. (The glue mixture makes the surface "paintable" - the original surface is glossy and water based media  comes  off).