Our artistic collaboration began 22 years ago when we met in Rome, Italy during a year abroad program through Tyler School of Art. Immediately we were intrigued by some essential differences in our approach to painting and this led to heated debates. David created large abstract paintings in which the richness of surface treatment was the main focus. Steve’s work, in contrast, was based on the question: “How can I make a painting as an object”, a fully integrated three-dimensional piece. We liked how our differences challenged our own thinking. As a way to learn from each other, we started trading half-finished drawings and paintings, and working our individual ideas into them. We discovered that this kind of “swapping” [between cities] has become an essential element in our collaboration. While David’s strength has always been to push color, pattern and surface in new directions, Steve is constantly fascinated by three-dimensional structures and how things fit together mechanically. Throughout our collaboration, we have often looked to nature for inspiration. In seed clusters, shell formations, and flower buds.