2This book is about the contemporary impressionistic oil paintings of my late friend Ted Goerschner. Ted's paintings are alive with color. So much so, that I heard him once refer to himself as a colorist. In 1980, when I first met Ted and saw his paintings, I was speechless. Never before had I seen such beauty on canvas of design, values, and color- terms I knew nothing about at the time. For reasons I have not understood no-one had produced a "coffee table" book on Ted's paintings. With that in mind and lots of help from my publishing company Xulon, this book has become a reality. The Introduction shares with the reader that serendipitous meeting of Ted in 1980 and his art and the beginning of our friendship, and later, classes at the Scottsdale Artist's School. Interspersed between glorious color photos are quotes regarding the philosophy of art from some of the great artists of our time and the recent past. They share their hearts, passions, imaginations, pains and failures. They share the full gamut of their emotions preparing the way for those who choose to follow. Should you decide to pick up a brush, a pencil, a potter's wheel, you will begin a great journey that will bring pleasure to your soul. Sing, dance, paint. You will enrich not only your life, but also the lives of others around you. Do it my friend, let God work His magic through you. Joseph Rea