The initial texture goes on to the canvas.
"This is the gesso stage. I use paper to build the surface and, as you can see, all the work is done on the table in my bay window.
Before this stage, I spent a while staring into space, imagining each image. I don't begin work until I know what I'm creating. It may not stay that way but without a clear starting point, I find a painting has no firm direction and often fails."
