THE IMAGES created for this book are an exploration of what goes on inside the studio where art is being created. It was my desire to make portraits of artists in their own environment, turning the tables by making them the subject. I wanted to acknowledge the importance of the act of art making. I chose a mix of artists—painters, sculptors, glass artists, a photographer, a ceramist, and a videographer/writer—just a sampling of the depth of talent living nearby. My intention was to keep the images impressionistic. They were made in one visit, without supplemental light or extra equipment, unposed and informal. The conditions were unknown and unpredictable, making the visits even more exciting. It was a privilege to be invited into their private spaces.