I believe the American government is built on cooperation and patience. As a nation we make up an eclectic mix of differing cultures and ideas--a combination that the government must reflect. When I painted my picture I decided to turn it into a collage that showcases this. Beneath all of the collaboration is a bright future and since the painting is figural in nature, faces of all of these different ideas are evident. The Roman numerals represent the connecting conversation that exists in American politics and brings the mix into a fulfilling whole. The fact that they are numbers also comes with what I said initially--government is built on patience and thus, time.