My art background and my approach to art is related strongly to this piece and other early works of mine. Realism was virtually non-existent when I went to art school in the mid-1970's. My approach to drawing was something like jumping aggressively into a pool and splashing like a madman until something "clicked". I can tell you that splashing color, wet and dry, around in this drawing is exactly what I did. i was just beginning to take life-drawing classes in Holland when I did this. The students had absolutely no instruction, it was the "Free" Academy. I have always loved this drawing: the energy, the color, the composition, and, surprisingly, the proportions of the body.