I began using the American flag as subject matter soon after the attacks of 9/11/01. I was trying, through painting, to find my connection to a symbol that had come to stand for a political agenda I didn't agree with, trying to reconcile my own conflicted feelings, to reclaim the flag and make it mine. The American flag is a most difficult subject to paint. It is such a powerful image with strong connotations for viewers that I've had to bring much personal power and strength to the painting process in order to wrestle out of it an original statement, to make art. I love that challenge. I would like to believe these paintings have the power to knock the viewer out of habitual one-sided knee-jerk reactions. I want the viewer to truly look at the stars and stripes and see all the complications as well as its simple visual beauty fluttering in the wind—to look at Old Glory anew.

To date there are over 20 paintings in the series. They are a document of the soul-searching process I went through to reclaim the American flag and make it mine. My hope is that viewing these paintings will inspire others to undertake a similar search of their own.

I intend to make Reclaiming the Flag a traveling exhibit. Part of the show will include accumulating comments from viewers who wish to have their thoughts recorded. In the end I plan to publish a book with both comments and images.