private void gameRender() {
    if (dbImage == null){
      dbImage = createImage(PWIDTH, PHEIGHT);
      if (dbImage == null) {
        System.out.println("dbImage is null");
        return;
      }
      else
        dbg = dbImage.getGraphics();
    }

    // set background colors depending on theme chosen
    if (theModel.getColor().equals("red")) {
	    dbg.setColor(Color.black);
	    dbg.fillRect (0, 0, PWIDTH, PHEIGHT);
    } else if (theModel.getColor().equals("blue")) {
    	dbg.setColor(Color.white);
	    dbg.fillRect (0, 0, PWIDTH, PHEIGHT);
    } else if (theModel.getColor().equals("green")) {
    	dbg.setColor(new Color(0, 180, 0));
    	dbg.fillRect(0, 0, PWIDTH, PHEIGHT);
    }
	

    //display bricks, ball(s) (unless lives == 0), lava and paddle
    drawBricks();
    if (theModel.getNumLives() > 0) drawBall();
    drawLava();
    drawPaddle();
  }