I recently began making pictures of dogs, noses to the ground, relying on their instincts to guide them. They find themselves amid the accoutrements of a materialist elite—tangled pearls and fashion’s latest high heels—and gain a peculiar new cognizance that makes them into a surrogate for humanity. Here, luxury goods and extravagance shine light on the animal essence we so aspire to transcend. I think of our various agencies for survival, security, and the mastery of primary needs. How do we make meaning of our lives and define ourselves apart from invoking a host of consumer products, brands, and services? These paintings challenge us to evaluate human nature as animal nature and encourage reflection on the motivations that guide us in all that we do.