This painting is part of my Split the Sea series—my meditation on the Exodus story. It is dedicated to my friend Joan who succumbed in her struggle with cancer two summers ago. She and her husband lived on an island off the coast of Maine. After her death her husband told me he transported her body across to the mainland on the ferry. On the trip back he stood on the ferry’s deck and watched the sunlight glinting off the water’s surface. The dancing sparkling water appeared to float up into the air and in each sparkle he saw her face.

Many times, while visiting the island, I too have been mesmerized by the sparkling water when approaching on the ferry. With my friend in mind I painted that experience—the light glinting off the water transforming into sparkles of spirit.