One of the ideas behind Cardinal and Sumac was inspired by a Smithsonian Museum display of an authentic East Indian village, complete with villagers going about their daily business. I was strolling through when, all of a sudden, a villager wearing a flaming red turban walked past a rich, terra cotta-colored wall. I was struck by the red-on-red vision - it just sizzled. I knew then, I would someday paint a cardinal in sumac. Most North Americans have the opportunity to see cardinals in their own backyards. The cardinal, however exotic in color, is one of our most familiar favorites. I like the idea of the cardinal as a representative for Earth Day; it is appropriate that a backyard favorite represent our need to incorporate environmental action into our own backyards. - RB