The Illustrated Armenian Proverbs series (2000-2001) grew out of my interest in the Armenian language and folkloric traditions, and out of my appreciation for the humor, wit, and wisdom of the expressions, as well as their intensely visual qualities. I was inspired by the idea that folkloric expressions embody hundreds of years of a nation's experiences, beliefs and superstitions. Proverbs create a connection between modern, urbanized people and the traditional agricultural society that they stem from, where, for example in the Armenian case, animals like donkeys, camels, and hens figure prominently and village personalities such as "the wise man" and "the fool" are familiar. For me, they represent a link to my past that I am trying to preserve. I was challenged by the idea of doing my own interpretations of the expressions, sometimes taking liberties by adding a more contemporary and idiosyncratic subject matter, and also by purposely "literalizing" the proverbs to bring stranger and less easily-defined images forward.