“Mania is a sickness for one’s friends, depression for one’s self.” – Robert Lowell
John Shipek earned a BSEE from the University of Washington and has worked in the electric utility industry ever since. This is his first book. His inspiration for this book came when he first laid eyes on what must have been at least 200 canvases jammed into Reta's basement. He knew he had to get involved before things really got out of control.
In Reta’s own words:
I was told by one of my art professors that most of his painting students don’t continue painting more than five years after graduating from college. He said, ten years later it was not likely, and twenty years later it is unusual. I am still actively practicing and pursuing painting; it’s been over fifty years.
