First and foremost, I want to extend my deepest appreciation and sincere gratitude to my anchor and very patient wife, Michael, for her understanding, for her encouragement, and for inspiring all that is good in my life.
To my sons, Dean, Lukas, and Jesse, and their beautiful families, for keeping my dream alive.
To my mother-in-law, Lillian, and in memory of my father-in-law, Michael, for their kind, caring support and for always believing in me.
To my “fratello” and master mold maker, Dominic Ranieri, for his dedication and commitment to excellence.
To Dave Brubeck, for his generosity, genius, and illuminating foreword.
To Dale Shaw, for his encouragement and support.
To my dear friends David and Maureen Canary, for being there and championing my cause.
To my paesano Joe Pantoliano, for his courage, for his hope, and for trusting in me.
To all of my students, at home and attending my workshops, for your talents, high expectations, and willingness to receive.
And in memory of my best buddy, Tom Mortellaro, who left us much too early, for being there at the beginning and supporting me in ways only a best friend can.
Photographer: Sierra Dobson, for her creativity and expertise in photographing the reclining pose and all reference poses.
Photographer: Andrew Zygart, for his intuitive eye and commitment to the pose in photographing the standing torso.
Photographer and digital assistant: Romanus Dolor, for his photo of the Brubeck bust.
Models: Mary Ellen (torso), Laurie (reclining and reference poses), and Sue (reference poses), for making this book come to life.
And to the dedicated staff at Watson Guptill Publications/Random House:
Executive Editor: Candace Raney, for believing.
Senior Development Editor: Alisa Palazzo, for honing my manuscript and getting it.
Editorial Assistant: Autumn Kindelspire, for creating my art log.
Publicity Director: Kimberly Small, for getting the word out.