Monday, December 30, 2013

Kennedy at Christmas

Kennedy at Christmas
Oil on Wood
 12"X 10"
The East Wing of the White House is surprisingly intimate and graciously presents our history. Photographs and portraits of past presidents line the walls of the elegant rooms. It was especially so this Christmas, filled with live trees and all the trappings of merriment. But coming upon the portrait of Kennedy, in a quiet corner, with a bowl of red roses placed on a table beneath took my breath away. It is restrained and beautiful, soft and sensitive. It is so alive. People fell silent as they stopped to admire it, struck by the heartbreaking loss and enormity of what might have been. 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Lemon Square on Grannie's Crystal Plate

Lemon Square on Grannie's Crystal Plate
Oil on Wood
10"X10"
After lunch today, as a special treat, I put one lemon square, baked by a friend, right in the center of one of my grandmother's crystal plates and remembered.
Grannie loved sweets, especially ones that reminded her of the old country. These dessert plates were among the few possessions she managed to bring from Europe and were reserved for special occasions; birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries.  It is that time of year. Sweet memories of friends and family and little moments shared.  Brings it all back.


Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Lunch With Tito


Lunch With Tito
Oil on Wood
8"X 10"
It was a very good time. In the Christmas spirit. And then some.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Lemon Squares Under Wraps

Lemon Squares Under Wraps
Oil on Wood
8"X10"
A wise friend whose advice I value told me this morning to "get comfortable with not knowing." That nugget freed me right up to just keep doing as I please, which this afternoon included memorializing a platter of lemon squares brought over by old friends who joined us for dinner last night. It was one of those evenings full of conversation and laughter and the kind of connection that happens when friendship stretches over decades. Sweet. Rich. Special. I may not know what I am doing, but I know this confection wrapped up for the holidays says it all. 

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Ozzie: Newman and Gray Senior Boatyard Dog

Ozzie: Newman and Gray Senior Boatyard Dog
Oil on Wood
8"X 6"
SOLD
Taking a break from Superman today, I turned my attention to a SuperDog. It just felt good to connect with a canine on this cold, crisp December morning. 

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Superman - Bigger Than Life

Superman - Bigger Than Life
Oil on Wood
10"X8"
Mel Ramos', "Superman" that hangs in the De Young Museum is 40"X 30" and sits up high on the wall. It is not very big, but it feels monumental, especially if you are a kid passing by. I didn't mean to make a painting exaggerating "Superman's" stature, but that's what happened. A happy accident. Its how we feel when we are in the presence of magnanimity: emboldened, strong, and better than ever.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is Coming
Oil on Wood
8"X6"
My sweet neighbor showed up at our first Friday breakfast this morning bearing gifts. It's that time of year. Holding on tight to Love and Friendship and Hope and Goodwill, while the world mourns the loss of Nelson Mandela, the man who spoke to our better selves. Or as Obama said, "he bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice." It's that time of year.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Sizing Up Superman

Sizing Up Superman
Oil on Wood
8"X6"
Mel Ramos' "Superman" attracts the best stances known to (super)man. See it next time you visit the De Young Museum. It is conveniently located right outside the rest rooms. I might have to go again this week to stock up on some old fashioned, down to earth art, to counteract the "holiday" hysteria that threatens to get me down.