Maria’s life as an artist was interrupted for some years, when it resumed – about the time we met – one of the first things she made was her famous “yes no” dress, which made it’s public debut at the Art Harvest at Gardenworks in Salem, N.Y., our first joint project of encouragement. The dress reflect Maria’s ambivalence about showing her art, about love and about men. I did not miss it’s implications. When I met Maria she was a “yes-no” girl when it came to relationships, I took the dress as a warning.

Fortunately for me, the “no” became “yes,” at least in terms of our relationship, the dress is now hanging outside of her studio, it is a powerful reminder to me of the nature of life, and of the importance to say yes to love and opening up.