My painting style evolved from a fascination I had with the marble floor in my childhood home. I discovered a whole world in that floor; the black veins in the marble created patterns and swirls that revealed magical creatures and fantastic scenes to my imagination. I would find a cow or an alligator in one tile, and a racing car in another. Years later, when I began painting, I brought this same concept to my canvases.

Each of my paintings begins with a freeform line or “Squiggle” which I pour directly onto the canvas without any conscious consideration of the final image. These intertwining lines form a “Cloud.” The process of finding something can be a few hours or it can take up to eight months. Painting in this style means that I never know what I am going to paint next. Each new Cloud offers me the chance to find new and unexpected images. To me, the process of finding and painting what I discover is absolutely joyful and I hope that my paintings will make those who view them happy as well.

—Gusto