Jim Zasoski’s inspiration to paint is embedded in both contemporary society and the painting process. Our present cultural interest in youth, retention of youth, beauty and the use of the body as a vehicle for personal expression, are all potential points of departure for Zasoski’s work. Images which promote these models are ever present throughout the media and a brief observation of a typical crowd will reveal the impact of these incarnations. Source materials for his paintings include photos that employ dramatically lit subjects, photos from his own studio arrangements and sketches from these materials. Images are found in wide range of areas like advertising, periodicals, old glamour photos, dated yearbooks (pre-color), and art history. Furthermore, Jim Zasoski uses thumbnail sketches along the way as aids to assist his decision making process. Because the facial images are neither portraits nor likenesses he takes freedom to make adjustment and alterations of details as necessary to suit his vision. In a final analysis the figures are often a compilation of parts put together to create a new “canvas personality,” which both captivates and draws the viewer into the work.