I taught myself to paint while waiting for my novel to write itself. This was in 1985, after a determined move to New York City to be an artist. I painted from my vast collection of stray animals, the muses, I found, adopted, and adored. The stories told themselves to me, effortlessly, and painting was the most compelling and least judgmental way to express them.
My hope as an artist is for the viewer to enjoy what they see. The animal kingdom is where my inspiration and soul resides; in each animal alive there is a potential portrait, story, reason to be observed and remembered.
– Jean Metcalf