This is my third series of paintings called “Hearts”.  After “Losses” my second series I wanted to paint something a little more uplifting.  I approached the “Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix” and they were interested.  I went to ten clubs and took photos of about 150 kids making hearts with their hands and arms in front of their chests.  After choosing the best hearts and poses I drew the outline of the child on the canvas, a total of 24 were completed.  Once I had the drawings complete, I went back to the club where the child’s photo was taken and had groups of kids paint the background.  Once the backgrounds were painted I painted the portraits of the kids.  This series toured for a few years and after the tour the paintings were given to the clubs where the paintings came from.