In Italian, "rubare" means "to steal," and "tempo" means "time." In music, tempo rubato refers a change in tempo, often the speeding up and then slowing down of the tempo. Some of the time in measures is stolen by others. The music changes yet remains the same and goes back to the way it was before the change. This resonated with me because of the concept of creating a new piece of music or art from an existing composition. I have struggled with how to create visually similar work that is identifiable as my own style but is different from work I have already done. In this painting, the process of creating a new abstract composition is borrowed from elements in previously executed work.

There are many layers in this painting similar to the many layers used in jazz compositions. I sometimes have a predetermined idea about a painting when I start it; often the initial concept remains but it can undergo many iterations by the time the painting is finished. I’ve always felt art is capable of eliciting sound if we take the time to listen.