Morning Meditation

 

Morning Meditation

Oil on Wood

10"X8"

 I start the day with a few exercises. 

Birds come and go in my neighbor's birch trees.

Seeing them outside my bedroom window has a soothing effect that carries me through whatever else comes my way.

No Rules

 No Rules 1

Oil on Wood

8"X6"

Summer Air

 Summer Air

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

Summer Fog

 Summer Fog

Oil on Wood

20"X16"

Its that time of year again.

Christy's Dahlias

 Christy's Dahlias

Oil on Wood

8"X10"

Dark and brooding, rich and beautiful, accompanied by Bob Dylan's "Things Have Changed."

That's the mood in my studio today.

Independence Day

 Independence Day

Oil on Canvas

36"X18"

Keeping Hope alive.

Layers

 Layers

Oil on Wood

16"X20"

Thinking of my mother on the eve of my big birthday.

I am still inspired by how she painted and how she lived. Her blue painting makes everything in the foreground look good, including this little bouquet of wildflowers gathered from just outside the door.

Her way of being lives on. 

Jan's Parlor

 Jan's Parlor

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

It's always about the light.

Limelight

 Limelight

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

A bigger version of last week's painting, "Friday Light."

Finding solace in a morning walk with a friend, discussing everything that's on our mind, bocce at noon, Bach, and this. There is still light seeping through the cracks. 

Friday Light

 Friday Light

Oil on Wood 

6"X6"

Last ditch effort to shed a little light on the week.

Mother's Day Orchid

 Mother's Day Orchid

Oil on Wood

8"X10"

This is for Safia whose generosity and goodness keeps on giving.

Cappuccino

 Cappuccino

Oil on Wood

8"X10"

Go see Wayne Thiebaud: Art Comes from Art at The Legion of Honor. Thiebaud is still teaching through his words and works that live on, oozing inspiration and unpretentious insight into how art happens.  Followed by lunch and a cappuccino in the Legion's lovely cafe, it was a moment of respite from the woes of the world.

Celebrating Spring

 Celebrating Spring

Oil on Wood

8"X6"

Celebrating Spring and birth and birthdays and well worn friendships.

This bird showed up in the same place at the same time last week and again this morning while my friend and I walked and talked and laughed and took it all in.

 I am more determined than ever to savor every moment of every day.

Great Blue Heron

 Great Blue Heron

Oil on Wood

9"X12"

This magnificent great blue heron flew right past my deck and landed here this morning.  It felt like a visit from the great beyond. 

He gave life, delivered life, and lived life to the fullest, and he was the life of the party. 

 Our dear old friend is gone but will never be forgotten. 

Wild Iris

 Wild Iris

Oil on Wood

6"X8"

Despite the cold I met my friend for a brisk walk this morning. 

I came home feeling a hint of Hope.

And found this in my email:

 “In the end these things matter most: How well did you love? How fully did you live? How deeply did you learn to let go?”    

 

― Jack Kornfield

Turbulence

 Turbulence

Oil on Wood

24"X24"

Turmoil

 Turmoil

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

Setting the Table for Spring

 Setting the Table for Spring

Oil on Wood

8"X10"

Gallery Visit

 Gallery Visit

Oil on Wood

10"X8"

There's a new gallery in town!

Warm and welcoming and oozing inspiration.

The dog's name is Tina.

Chandler Gallery 108 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley.

Also. This from Margaret Renkle in today's NY Times lifted my spirits.

"In very dark times, just the barest chance to witness something beautiful is enough to give a person hope."

Camellia from the Garden

 Camellia from the Garden

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

Camellias are blooming, birds are singing. Life goes on, surprisingly.

Beach Perch

 Beach Perch

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

Aloha!

Twilight

 Twilight

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

Taking Flight

 Taking Flight

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

After a week of non-stop rain the sun came out. We took a walk along the Bay. This was our reward. Thank goodness for Nature in our midst during these trying times. The birds continue to lift my spirits and give me HOPE. 

Thinking of my friends who are struggling with health and well being. This is for them. A moment of respite.

At a Loss for Words

 At a Loss for Words

Oil on Wood

9"X12"

Crows

 Crows 

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

The crows were out in force during our Tuesday bocce game. 

No one knew why, but they were clearly agitated, just like the rest of us. 

 There is a lot to cry about. 

It took until 4p.m. today for me to stop flapping around, quiet my own demons and finally start painting.

Now I can enjoy the weekend rain, and read a book, or watch a movie by the fire.

Tomorrow is another day.

Summer Evening

 Summer Evening

Oil on Wood

20"X24"

Summer Memory

 Summer Memory

Oil on Wood

20"X24"

Remembering my friend.

Remembering warmth and sunshine.

Listening to Bob Dylan. Remembering the 60s. "Not Dark Yet," "It's not dark yet, but it's getting there. Here we are again. Turmoil and pain. The beauty of music touches my heart.

Holding on to HOPE and belief in humanity.

Monday is Market Day

 Monday is Market Day

Oil on Wood

10"X8"

I stopped to see the birds on my way home from the market this morning.

Time to stock up.

New Year Crow

 New Year Crow

Oil on Wood

6"X8"

Old friends in the New Year. Layering new paint on two old paintings seems appropriate at this moment. 

 Nothing is new. We just keep adding new experiences, making new memories. What was there seeps through in surprising ways.

Listening to Jon Batiste make Beethoven new and Bobby McFerrin do the same with Mozart, Bach, and other greats.

Life imitates Art imitates Life. 

Happy to be in the studio with the past and present.