January 2, 2008 – Ray Smith is a good friend, which I should disclose up front, but I am in awe of the artistry pouring out of him in recent years and months. Yesterday, I went to visit him in his Vermont studio and he talked about his passionate work in oils. This work took my breath away and Ray generously gave it to me, but he has a dozen others that were as exciting or better.
  This painting is hanging in my living room, and I am pestering Ray to consider doing a joint show with me, his  paintings and my photos. Ray is not into selling himself in any way – he is a generous, quiet and shy man. I hope he’ll do it, though, because I would be proud to have my photos hanging next to his works.
  Right now, he is possessed, right in the joy of creation, and it is wonderful to see it. Ray and I have a similiar work ethic when it comes to creativity – create, create, create, learn, learn, learn. And then create some more.
  I love his paintings and he was  gracious enough to let me photograph a few. Ray is a renaissance man is every sense of the word – he paints, hunts, designs, farms.
 In a sense, the creativity exploding in Ray comes out of the times. Like me, he senses a simpler and more creative time and is determined to do good work. He is doing wonderful work. Over the next weeks, I hope he will let me take more photos. Ray (and his wife Joanne) have always been one of the prime encouragers of my life here and my art and he is a good man and a dear friend.
  It is a miracle and an inspiration to me to see work like this come out of someone who works day and night to do it, it is a joy to see. I am very pleased to be able to look at this painting every day.