While working on my painting depicting a lonely flip flop found on a beach near Hoi An, Vietnam, I found myself having a dialogue with the natural elements.  For example:  “Sand, why did you half bury this tattered shoe?  Why do you have subtle patterns flowing around you?”  “South China Sea, did you toss this lost shoe all around during a violent storm?  Did you ever wonder what happened to its owner?  Where did you fling the mate to this flip flop”? and on and... Read more

For the past three years, I used oil paints, watercolors, and even plastic collage pieces in my artwork which was inspired by a brief and exciting trip to Iceland.   Realistic landscapes and figures were the predominant theme early on in the series, but gradually the compelling and majestic beauty of Icelandic glaciers, and the surrounding deep blue waters, became the subject matter.  The work, as it progressed, evolved into larger abstract pieces.  During those many quiet moments of painting, when my thoughts roamed here... Read more

“In most successful movements for social change, artists are in the vanguard”,  says Adele Stan–who further states in an important article titled “Culture Manifesto:  The Increasing Importance of Art as an Engine of Change” (http://www.alternet.org/story/149258/) that “when the going gets tough, the tough make art.  And in America today, there’s some tough going ahead”.  Lastly, she suggests that “as we head into a new year, let’s renew our spirits with an injection of creativity.  As Emma Goldman told us, “a revolution without dancing is not... Read more

Today I painted my first self-portrait (based somewhat on the photo that is on this blog!) I know, I am smiling/laughing in this picture…the way I normally like to appear in the world–hey we all need more smiles.  But, in the painting I started and quickly completed this morning, I inserted a big, heavy, dark plastic tear falling from my eye.  The horrible shooting that happened yesterday in Arizona makes me cry–for the deep sadness that the families, the friends, the state, the entire country... Read more

In yesterday’s blog I showed two photos of a large piece (4 1/2′ x 4 1/2′) that I am working on.  Since the oil paint was not dry today, I decided to paint on a smaller piece of paper (20″h x 30″w) that had a quickly rendered old painting on it..a waterfall of sorts.   After painting for a few hours today, this is the result.. a waterfall that has turned to a mix of ice and water flowing.  Many years ago I started doing... Read more

The first week of 2011!  Art Time!  During the recent wonderful holiday season I did not put brush to paper at all.  But I was thinking about the work a lot.  I felt that I needed to turn my piece upsidedown, with the heavier, darker part going on the bottom instead of on top as I had originally planned.  I also convinced myself that I wanted to do a lot of drips.   Well, here are the results of working on the piece yesterday and... Read more

While I am quietly painting I think of so many things I want to say on this new blog of mine…and yet, now, when I click keys to computer, those ideas are nowhere in sight!   The challenging process of actually cranking up the creative motor and finally, brushing the color onto the paper,  sometimes last a long time.  Yesterday I used almost an entire day before choosing and mixing the oil paint; taking down the 55″ x 55″ piece of paper from the wall... Read more

Today I began a new painting.  The blog will describe the process up until the painting is finished…whenever that is. The idea for this work has been rummaging around in my mind for a while now…but we’ll see what the final result will end up being.   *Beginning size is 54″ x 54″ *Surface is cold pressed rough watercolor paper cut from a roll   This afternoon–as it started to get dark (this happens so early now)–I applied a coat of white acrylic gesso on... Read more

These days lots can be accomplished on your laptop when you can get online while flying.  I have been  cleaning my desktop; catching up on emails and writing my blog!!  I am returning home on a six hour flight from Boston to San Francisco.  Ole Man Winter has his grip in New England at the moment..brrrr!  Ice even coats the small ponds which dot the landscape.  Seeing that ice brought back memories when, a long time ago, I used to skate and play ice hockey... Read more