“Say Baseball, Say Pancake” depicts my early memory of audiology test during the
1960s: I am alone in the dark and grey room, the small window to see the audiologist,
and the monkey toy banging his cymbals on the speaker.

I usually paint three common themes. One theme of my work features figures who are
often missing a sensory organ (an eye, ears, or a mouth) but still connecting and
engaging with the world. A second common theme in my art depicts outsiders looking in,
seeking to be included, and a third theme embraces social justice and injustice.
For many years, people would ask me why would I paint this signature style (with no
ears, an eye, or mouth). I didn’t know the answers then, in the earlier years; I was
experimenting with my painting style. The figures with missing sensory elements just
came out of me and onto the canvas. Of course, in retrospect, I see now that these
figures represent my experience in the world as a Deaf person. Since then, I have
continued to explore different ways to paint, using the themes and subjects that affect
me personally.