Acknowledgments

To Mary Ann Hall, my editor who first contacted me with the idea and was amazing through the entire process; for answering endless questions and responding so graciously; for her continuous encouragement and reaffirmation—Thank you, Mary Ann.

To Rachel Saldaña, photographer and dear friend—for the talent she brought to this project, for working long photo-shoot weekends, “camping out,” and for getting in my face and making us laugh.

To all the hands at Quarry that helped put the pieces of this book into one beautiful entirety including Betsy Gammons for her project management, David Martinell for his art direction, and to the designer, Nancy Bradham.

To the artists who contributed their wonderful work to the gallery—Thank you!

To the readers of my blog, for their loyalty and kindness.

To dear friends: Shari, for her letters full of poetry and inspiration that helped spur me on. To Alica, for her friendship and enthusiasm. To Alicia, for checking in and noticing. To Emily, for silently cheering in my corner.

To my co-teachers at The Lawrence Arts Center for their moral support.

To G. Webb, my first watercolor instructor.

To Paul Hartley (1943–2009) an amazing painter and professor, for teaching me about composition, ways of combining imagery, and for inspiring Project 12 in this book.

To Tanya Hartman, my graduate school professor who taught me about making paint by hand, to make every part of the painting interesting, and that without fullness of life, there is no art.

To my sister, for being who she is: lovely.

To my parents for searching and searching to find the photo, for giving me my first box of paints, years of endless encouragement, and so much more.

To my husband for continually believing in me, for always listening, and for helping me since the day we met.