This series of paintings was inspired by a cross-country trip, by train, from California to New York.   Two regions were visually striking to me: the vast Midwest---both patterned farmland and stark industrial areas, and the intimate valleys of West Virginia.  

The landscape flashed by in fleeting glimpses and I had to discover its essence in moments of visual poetry, like Japanese Haiku.

Once I discovered symbols and compositions that intrigued me, I set about improvising on a basic theme, as if I were a musician with variations on a melody---using colors like musical keys.