Each project begins with an exploration of the cultural and historical context of a place or event. I draw from archival materials, field photography, and technical references, and I frequently build models or maquettes to better understand how natural light touches the subjects. From these sources, I develop thumbnail sketches and compositional studies, refining the narrative through lighting, atmosphere, and contextual clues. My goal is to construct scenes that invite viewers to assemble a story from the visual elements and encourages them to use their own life experiences and imagination to form those stories. Research is central to my process. My wife's favorite time of day during her time at USAFA was twilight when the sky produced its most beautiful shade of blue and the mountain ridge fell into blackness. This piece is a tribute to her favorite time of day.