Artist's Wife's Statement

Since the day our daughter, Tarian, was born, strangers have regularly approached Steve and said, ''She's beautiful. What IS she?'' Steve's response is always, ''Well, she's Oklasian. I'm from Oklahoma and my wife is Chinese.'' This body of work was created as a way to honor our little Oklasian.

Steve wholeheartedly believes that it takes a village to raise a child. And, with that thought, the idea for this show was born. Many of the pieces take design cues from Asian paper-cut-outs while the subject matter reflects some of the values that we would like to instill in Tarian. Other pieces simply juxtapose Asian imagery upon Americana-type backgrounds. And, in the key piece, an Asian style tiger (which represents strength) is intentionally etched in a contrasting piece of fragile, antique glass.

In Tibet, colorful prayer flags are hung with mantras printed on them so that the wind can carry their messages to their Gods. The ''mantras'' on Steve's flag and designs are (in no particular order):

Respect your elders
Be one with nature
Take responsibility for your actions
Don't judge others
And, of course, It takes a village to raise a child

Steve Miller