Every once in a while, a painting sneaks up on me and says, “Dave, let’s not be too serious today.” That’s exactly how “Kiss This” was born.

This little 8" × 6" oil on panel was my way of letting humor have the brush for a while. I mean, how often do you get to paint a pig with a whole lot of attitude? The words across its side — Kiss This — pretty much say it all. It’s playful, cheeky, and a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be deep or poetic. Sometimes it can just make you laugh, and that’s just as powerful.

I had fun with the colors on this one: warm pinks and earth tones for the pig against a cool, lively sky. It’s a small piece, but it carries a big personality. After varnishing it and signing off, I realized this pig might be one of the sassiest characters I’ve ever put on a panel.