ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to Mary Ann Hall for offering me this brilliant project and the opportunity to bring my vision to life. Your guidance, encouragement, and calm helped me see the possible.

Thank you to Anne Re and the Quarry team for designing a beautiful book that shows my creative voice page after page.

Thank you to Meredith Quinn for all of your guidance as the project went from start to finish.

Thank you to my family and friends for all of your love and support.

To John, my champion.

To my boys, Elán and Auguste: You inspire me every day with your kindness, love, and big hearts.

To my forever girls—my sister, Felicia, for always having my back, and Nya and Emee, my creative nieces: I love you to pieces!

Thank you to those who came before. You inspired me, created opportunities, and opened the pathway to live a creative life. I will hold you forever in my heart: Magdalena, Iris, Uncle Pio, Aunt Jennie, and Aunt Blanca.

To my creative mentors and friends for all the inspiration and support along the way:

Jewel Gentile Merrell, artist, poet, and writer, who has been my creative sounding board from the start. Thank you for the inspiration behind the Word Path Series^©.

Jane Rainwater, artist, millinery muse early in my career, and Martha’s Vineyard drawing friend. Thank you for giving me platforms to show my work.

Pia Sjolin, artist, who opened my eyes to my strengths and gave me the push to experiment and “see” art. Thank you for your guidance.

Jane Beard, designer and design instructor, who caught me in a creative support net. I am forever grateful.

Russell O’Conner, art director, who helped me build the foundations of a fantastic art and design career.

Lisa Ludwig, artist and designer, who took the time to guide me through many creative projects and taught me so much about the home décor industry.

Marie Zimmerman, teacher, whose belief in me made me believe I could make a career in this business.

Rod Carey, artist, who taught me to “see” that everything is an art supply. Miss you.

To my Creative Squad: Julie Hamilton, Kim Green, Mary Tanana, Heather Neilsen, Barbara Chotiner, and Stephanie Ryan. Thank you for all your support—the phone calls, Skype calls, critiques, and creative chats, and thank you for being there as my art community.

And to my customers, followers, and online community.

Courage, love, and laughter make everything possible. —me

“Your style is the way you talk in paint.” —Robert Henri

“Line is the most powerful device of drawing.” —John Sloan

“Every master knows that the material teaches the artist.” —Ilya Ehrenburg

“You can never do too much drawing.” —Jacopo Comin, known as Tintoretto or Jacopo Robusti