Allan Graubard's prose vignettes evoke subtle emotional states that starkly bubble to the surface amongst keen observations of the natural world. He is spurred by John Welson's deliriously intricate paintings and titles, and vice versa. Both are equally accomplished and compelling, and their virtuosity stands individually, whilst their collaboration achieves a ricocheting intimacy greater than either art by itself. Their spark of mutual inspiration delivers to us this satisfying, entwining, intermedia gift that enacts the mystery of friendship.

- John Solt, author of Poems for the Unborn

As if dealt from a Tarot deck of the natural world, Sun Step Black Lake is a beautiful call and response, initiated by Welson's luminous paintings, at one and the same time deep contemplations of enchanted landscapes. From these landscapes, Graubard composes his tales - these strange and mysterious encounters, these dreams that may or may not have been dreamed during sleep. In turn, the tale influences the artist's choice of the next "card" to deal. And so the game continues. Reminiscent of the wandering poet-artists of the Tang Dynasty, these works reveal that a circle of stones, a sprig of heather, the shimmering spring dawn are an embarkation point to a timely yet timeless world, effortlessly revived by the artist and poet for the reader. The ludic quality of this book reminds us, to quote Johan Huizinga, that "we must be more than merely rational beings, for play is irrational."

- David Coulter, translator of The Novel of the Tupinamba Indian