February 14th 2010 marks the beginning of the Chinese year of the Tiger. In the Chinese tradition the Tiger is the "King of the beasts" and is a symbol of royalty, strength and courage. In the Indian tradition the tiger is a symbol of the divine and represents wisdom and bravery, the Goddess Durga rides a tigress. The tiger is the National Animal of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, North Korea and South Korea.

In an international poll conducted by Animal Planet.com the Tiger was voted the most popular of all the animals in the world and got 21% of the votes. Dogs were 2nd with 20% of the votes.

My collection Tropical Delights showcased the Tiger as the most important animal of India, strong and powerful, gorgeous and elusive, it is truly a magnificent animal. The collection was displayed at the Art Museum of South East Texas, in Beaumont, Texas. It was a momentous experience for me to display my work at such an august setting.

People and animals have always been sources of inspiration, joy and wonder for me. I am a psychiatrist practicing in San Antonio. My professional life exists in a world where thoughts, feelings and perceptions are expressed in words. The realm of painting is a natural segue for me. In this medium, I move into a space where the same gamut of emotions and cognitions is expressed not in words but in form, line, tone and hue. The depiction of the range of human emotions is a passion with me, as are the depictions of the behaviors and emotions of animals.

In the summer of 2007 I had a transforming experience during an African Safari and went into raptures over the marvelous wildlife there and the wonderful, magical planet we inhabit. Since then I have been putting that experience on to canvas. I is working on a collection of paintings “Serengeti Series: Memories in Mauve.” I have been contributing to conservation causes for many years. With this series, I plan to donate a portion of the earnings to organizations that promote conservation efforts. I will, now, be able to translate my joy of painting into a vehicle that directs attention to Wildlife Conservation.