For many paintings in my Arts & Crafts Motto Series, I start with a solid panel, then add a sculptural molding compound to create the effects of peeling plaster for the background. I want every part of my painting to have purpose and texture. Design & motif was a common Arts & Crafts attribute from the early 1900s, and I adapted the ideal for my painting. One of the founding fathers of the Arts & Crafts Movement (1880-1920) was John Ruskin.  He inspired William Morris and together they built an awareness between everyday objects and beauty. With hand-crafted time and love, and modest means. My painting was inspired and loosely adapted from leather hand-tooled purses from late 1800s.