Don't you think taking photos of kids without getting noticed is the best way to capture a great photo? The expression that you cannot quite explain? The photo reference for this painting was taken when I took my son to the zoo and he saw a giraffe for the first time. I wanted to capture his face just as he saw the giraffe, so I quietly crept up from behind and held the camera suddenly in front of him to capture that instant without him reacting to the camera. His expression was so different—full of curiosity and a twinkle in his eyes. That's what I wanted to share in this painting: the twinkliness of curiosity that children, and even adults, are capable of.

I said 'Sorry, Kai.' He looked at me curious, surprised, but so concerned. It caught me off guard when he said 'Why, what’s wrong?' He's never put words together like that before. It just caught me of guard to realize how much hes grown and capable with understanding feelings.