Most of my oil paintings are done on wood. Many are over 120 ×100 cm. I like working on oak wood . The reason is that I discovered that once the oil paint is almost dry, I can start carving into the surface and bring out the wood under the paint, thus creating some kind of relief and texture that is organic. I can again paint over the new layers and start the process over and over again, thus creating interesting surfaces. It brings the images to life. I work with all kind of carving tools, fine Japanese ones, to the very rudimentary heavy ones which can create deep tracks , sometimes even tearing the surface. It’s instinctive work. By partly destroying them I am make them come to life.