“When I was 21, in October, I went on a whale watch in Cape Cod, Massachusetts with a group of friends. (We had slept on the ground at a park-and-ride the night before, because the camp ground that held our reservations turned us away.) This watch was our last hope to enjoy our short vacation. It was only supposed to be an hour and a half long ride, but our boat had to stay still on the water for 3 hours, because beautiful, enormous whales (mostly humpback) breeched to show us their wiry teeth, decorative, raised scars, colorful barnacles, and curvy tails. They were jovial, mysterious dancers. It brings me joy to paint this dream-like memory.”