With all of the bzillions of variations on the theme of wooden boats... No matter to what purpose a wooden boat is put, regardless of its dependence on paddles, oars, or sails, an inboard or outboard, gas or diesel engine (or more); whether it is new or old, skippered by a male or female, adult or youth, built on which continent, operated in the northern or southern hemisphere, one common thread that binds all wooden boats into a class onto themselves is their need to be hauled out and caulked, periodically. This is a tradition that harkens back through the annals of time before history was written. Yet with the advent of steel and alloys which use welding techniques to fasten and seal hulls, and finally fiberglass and the new composite materials from which hulls are crafted, the art of caulking was recently rapidly becoming archaic. The true masters of this profession are national treasures, worthy of recognition for keeping this tradition alive during the "dark" years before it was again fashionable, and profitable, to work in the wooden boat maintenance trades. I saw the gentleman portrayed in my poster design at work on Bill Gardener's boat, "Equator," this past summer in Boat Haven. "Equator" was designed and built by Bill's grandfather, CM Anderson in 1923. I was struck by the handsome combination of man and boat. I returned and got this shot of dedication and fortitude. I could hardly wait for the Festival theme to be announced, and was delighted that it was so perfect for this shot. I removed the background and replaced it with sky, leaving the designation of the boat as a sail or motor vessel purposely ambiguous, as well as the bow and stern orientation. I kept the gunwales and mounds of line intact. I confess that I took some artistic license with the proximity of the planked area prepared for caulking. My eyes love a wood boat before re-painting. It is soon covered over with paint and bottom paint, another "Michelangelo" canvas obscured for another purpose. I was pleased to use a "quilt" pattern of the prepped hull for the frame of this poster. I believe the resulting design captures the spirit and essence of what keeps wooden boats afloat...craftsmen/women, skilled maintenance, basic tools and oakum. Having worked on a welding crew repairing steel vessels in Boat Haven during the 1990s, I became very familiar with the 300 ton yard. In 2008 I attended the Wooden Boat Festival for the first time, and became totally infatuated with sailing with John and Jill invited me out on "Merrie Ellen." I haven't recovered yet! In 2009 I volunteered for the Festival and took many images of participating boats that became part of the product line for my WBF booth, and are still available at my gallery on Water Street. By 2010 I was well connected with boat folks, living aboard in Boat Haven, revisiting my old stomping grounds in the 300 ton yard, regularly...this time with an eye for wooden boats, too! I am grateful to the Festival for allowing me the introduction to so many fine vessels at once, to inform my eye, inspire my imagination, and spark my creativity.