I’ve been taking representation out of my work for some time now. I am interested in simple forms and arrangements, and the effects created through the combination of various colors. Just as I felt I had removed all representational content from the work, I have begun to bring it back in.

I became interested in World War II aircraft. I was amazed with all the variations and the actual amount of different colors used. I also got interested in the role these different colors played in that context, at that moment in history.

Each painting is based on a particular airplane. I create the composition based on the general volume and sequence of colors found on that aircraft.

Though based on a specific reference, I don’t intend it to be of significant importance to the finished piece. It is merely a point of personal interest and a device used to get into a place where I have boundaries to work within.

Todd Ros, 2001