The purpose of this Thesis has been an exploration of the means of composing paintings that are personally expressive, meaningful in concept, and aesthetically exciting, while being structurally well designed and executed. An intensive search in the areas of concept, or idea development; design and composition; as well as the technical concerns in choosing media and the methodology of its use has resulted in growth, increased knowledge, and many new discoveries. Each area has been systematically explored in great depth in a productive and effective sequence. The process involved in the development of concept was researched through many avenues. The areas of art philosophy, human development, psychology, mythology, historic viewpoints, artis...