I have stated that I used Rita's image as an actor in scenarios of my choosing. And I also stated that my rendering of her is  based upon memory and imagination. Both of these are a form of control. And further, my use of her image is exploitive. There is a metaphorical touching take place as I rub and manipulate the charcoal in the process of rendering. It is not lost to me that it is a magically erotic process, one that is shared with the viewer. I recognized kinship with Art's male-dominated history. A worthy subject of much of art is the abduction and rape of women, usually excused by being presented in a historical context. But the representation of exploiting women is itself a way of exploiting women itself. I am no knight in shining armor; I am as guilty as Delacroix or Rubens in taking delight, Thus started the series "Romantic with Rita." With time and on account of Rita's decaying health, the series turned into something different: Instead of grabbing and seizing, I started holding and supporting, trying to shield, protect, warn, empathize, somewhat mitigating the misogyny imbued by a patriarchal society. Of course, I find the earlier ones more enjoyable. The last drawing presented here was only started when Rita started undergoing intense chemo therapy. It shows the mediport under the surface of her skin. I just couldn't finish it.