There’s a Wildness in Staying Rooted

That may sound like a contradiction, but it’s exactly what this painting means to me. Milford wasn’t just where I grew up, it was where I launched. The tiger here isn't caged — it's coiled. It knows every inch of the jungle it's sprinted through. That’s what made it dangerous. That’s what made it free.

I was born in 1974—the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac. Tigers are solitary, fierce, confident. But that confidence is shaped, not born. Mine was formed by a place that trusted me to fail, run wild, and come back better. Sports taught me grit. My parents taught me trust. Milford taught me resilience.

This painting roars with the energy of those years. And when I think of the emotional landscape of that time, the soundtrack is clear:

“Tramps like us, baby we were born to run.”

Springsteen’s anthem isn’t just about escape—it’s about pushing limits with your whole heart on fire.

Not Just a Memory

Milford Tiger isn’t just a memory. It’s a myth I earned. It’s my power, your history, and my birthright, waiting in the underbrush, ready to leap. It can be yours too.

And yeah—maybe I was born to run. But I was forged by staying, by listening, by learning. And that’s what makes this tiger so dangerous.

Color Chording:

“Born to Run” - Bruce Springsteen