Our move from Brooklyn's Park Slope to a Williamsburg loft was consequential to our art-making, not just on account of the opportunities for physical space, but more on account of the psychic space it allowed for us to recreate ourselves as well as our environment. But it was challenging to live in a constant construction zone.  The sight of Rita wearing a silk nightgown while trying to avoid the power tools scattered on the floor of our loft launched a series I titled "Rita in the Land of Men." I had admired Rita for her determination and integrity long before we became more than simply friends. The meaning of the Sanskrit name Rita is brave and truthful. Her name fit well. I relied on her strength on account of those traits.