What is the purpose of art, anyway? To uplift, challenge, provoke and stretch the boundaries of our imagination. I never take photos inside of the farmhouse, unless it is about a dog or a renovation.

Some people come her looking for photos of cute puppies, and there are many of those, but of course I want than that for myself and my own sense of art and creativity.

We maintain our own circle of privacy and protect our intimacy, even in the spirit of sharing our open lives. People often ask us if we are comfortable sharing our lives, and I often say they don’t see the parts we don’t share, and there are many. We choose what we wish to be seen.

We are both artists, both creatives, we support that in one another. From the first, my photographs have been love letters to Maria, a private and sacred communications system, a way in which we talk to one another.

This morning, coming downstairs, I saw this gorgeous image of color, light and love. Maria was in the shower, the bathroom door was open, I was so moved by this image of beauty and art, and by the colors that framed it. I took the photo and then showed it to her, I asked if it was all right with her if I put it up on the blog. After all, one is entitled to absolute privacy showing in a bathroom.

She hesitated for a moment, inspected the image carefully, and said, as I suspected she would, that of course I should put it up on the blog. it was beautiful, she said, it was art, and art, of all things, should surprise us and push against boundaries.

I was happy to hear that, because I loved the photo and certainly would not have ever put it up unless she was totally comfortable with it. I like the idea of pushing against boundaries without going too far or being offensive. That’s my way of doing it.

It captures a moment familiar to all of us, but so special to me.

And it reveals nothing but grace and beauty, and is another message in the annals of my love with her, and of course I should share it with the people who share our lives.