Whispers #6, Between Love and Indifference 36" x 27" archival pigment print on paper comes straight out of something I learned early as an advertising creative. The secret to good advertising, pointed out by legendary ad-man David Ogilvy in his book On Advertising, is what he called “story appeal...the magic element that arouses human curiosity.” Story appeal is what causes someone to stop for a moment and think about an ad. For example, why do we attempt to sell insurance with a gecko, or with a woman named Flo and her misfit friends? Story appeal. Story appeal is also a factor in graphic design, as the designer chooses elements intended to keep the reader/observer engaged. I would also argue that this is a factor in fine art. What else does the enigmatic smile of Leonardo’s Mona Lisa do but add story appeal? When you see that painting, you really want to know more. What does she know and how can I learn about it? Somehow we think that if we can find out more, we can gain insight into the meaning of the painting. In a word, we are enchanted. Humans love stories because we are hard-wired to seek meaning. 40,000 years of art and literary history, even the most absurd works of contemporary art, collectively argue that the universe is not devoid of meaning. Whispers #1, What is There Before There is Anything? Messengers #5, Jacob’s Ladder 36" x 27" archival pigment print on paper32" x 84" archival pigment print on canvas 23 35