In the late1990's, Burnett began a series of paintings called "Lost Cities". The name derives from the Greek root for the word "city" or "civilization". Cities were meant to be ideal places where people--friends--would meet and grow together. These paintings are non-specific journeys through the landscapes of his mind.

This body of work reconnects to a place he was going with his painting in his 20's. Now he is able to resolve issues he couldn't resolve at that time. He stopped doing the more abstract work and spent many years doing figurative painting.

According to Burnett, two approaches are not as different as you might think: "The way I organize space, for instance, remains consistent. From the period of figurative work, I learned what I wanted to do with the less specific, pure painting. I work on various types of papers. On a heavy paper--like the Arches 300 lb. cold press--the pebbly surface is very hard; the paint rests on the surface. A lighter weight, hot press paper is more absorbent. Sometimes I have to stretch the lighter paper with tape around the edges to flatten it after painting. I adjust my handling of the paint to suit the surface.