Where Rarely Is Heard a Discouraging Word

Where Rarely is Heard a Discouraging Word

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

The weekend was warm and relaxing. A Baseball game broadcast on the radio filled the afternoon with memories of my childhood when our neighbor, Mister Muther, would settle into his big upholstered chair, smoke a pipe, and listen to his team win or lose while we played cards at his feet, content to while away the day.

Carefree and cared for. Call it contented.

Home on the Range

Home on the Range

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

Stocking up on my favorite aspects of home. Appreciating cows, California, Spring. Talking about art over breakfast. A last look at the Girl and her Pearl at the de Young. Men and women looking at Superman. And a last visit to SF MOMA yesterday with a friend and the most interesting assortment of museum goers ever. 

Grazing

Grazing

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

Friday afternoon I went searching for pastures full of cows. I get nostalgic seeing them meandering through the California landscape. My childhood featured weekend walks in Sonoma with my father. We often came across cows grazing on neighboring properties across which we trespassed. He thought nothing of climbing through barbed wire fences and we got lost more than once. That was the way he lived. Venturing beyond the known and risking getting lost, managing to emerge unscathed and enlivened by the experience. I just tagged along for the ride. 

Time Out from Grazing

Time Out from Grazing

Oil on Wood

10"X22"

It's always a good idea to pay attention who's in your pasture. 

Crowd Sourcing

Crowd Sourcing

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

Late in the Day

Late in the Day

Oil on Wood

6"X8"

Another rally late in the day. 

It helps to walk with a good friend. Mutual admiration mixed with exercise and sunshine was a good start to the day.

As was happening upon Holland Cotter's inspired review of John Heliker, 'A Tribute" in today's New York Times. Especially his final line:

"Heliker’s late paintings have a conversational quality too, not relaxed but poised, the way art can be after years of practice, when habit hides effort."

"...when habit hides effort." I love that.

And "...conversational quality..." That strikes a chord. Art is a conversation. Speak up.

Back To Cows

Back to Cows

Oil on Wood

6"X8"

Yesterday I got the urge to paint cows again. With people coming and going hither and yon, just seeing cows dotting the green- turning- golden hills  makes me feel at home. Which is where I am glad to be. 

Family Blend Cigar Box

Family Blend When the Cows Come Home Cigar Box
Oil on Wood Cigar Box
6"X6"X3"
"Cows are notoriously languid creatures and make their way home at their own unhurried pace." (Thank you "The Phrase Finder") Family Blend starts around here next week and I, for one, can't wait. The days will start getting longer on the same day they arrive.

California Cows 4

California Cows 4
Oil on Wood
6"X6"
The California Cows, all three paintings (see previous posts), are headed for the Bolinas Museum's 22nd Annual Mini Show.

California Cows Coming and Going

California Cows Coming and Going
Oil on Canvas
18"X18"
I am so filled with ideas and inspiration I don't know if I'm coming or going. Yesterday I went to see the Christopher Brown Show at John Berggruen's Gallery. I had the place all to myself. So luxurious. I studied Brown's big paintings for a long time hoping I could learn a thing or two. When I got home I found a great video online in which Brown describes his approach in perpetual pursuit of attaining the "exhilaration of discovery". I came away with the usual refrain: "Do what you want. No fear."
In the evening my great friend, Joanne, and I went to hear Maira Kalman and Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) at City Arts and Lectures. The place was packed and everyone was laughing from the get go. Kalman and Handler are both irreverent and inventive, and full of fun.
They were promoting their book, "13 Words" which will be out Oct. 5. But mostly they were spreading the gospel:
"Live it up. Do what you want. No rules. No fear."
So here I am. Loving my cows and California's parched landscape. Having the time of my life. Doing, learning, and doing some more. Off to see the Post Impressionist's Show this evening.

California Cows 2

California Cows 2
Oil on Wood
6"X6"
Like the squirrels gathering nuts, when Fall comes, I want to store up ideas. Searching for inspiration anywhere I can find it. Last night I went to hear Jonathan Safran Foer at City Arts and Lectures. Not only did I love his first two books, but he's married to Nicole Krauss who wrote my all time favorite, "The History of Love." Read it. And then read it again.
He said he writes to "create an emotional/aesthetic atmosphere." He's interested in "what's visible, what's invisable, what's lost." That struck a chord. To keep in mind while painting. My next assignment.
Then he quoted someone who commented upon the birth of his baby, "Everything is possible again." Oh my. Does that ever touch my heart.

California Cows

California Cows
Oil on Wood Panel
6"X6"
California here I am. Right back where I started from. It's good to be home.

May Cow

May Cow
Oil on Wood Panel
4"X4"
The truth is, I never made it to the easel today. We had a meeting in the morning and then it was lunch time and such a glorious warm day that we went to Fish and sat outside and marveled at how lucky we are to live right here where we could go on vacation without leaving home. Feeling Spring fever setting in, I came home and wrapped a few presents for friends and set off to deliver them, stopping for tea with one for a spur of the moment high octane visit. When I got home, there was e-mail to read, the dog to pet, roses to smell and well...Here we are. This painting was actually made yesterday. Or maybe the day before. I've been pouring on the color. And steering clear of blue.

Cow Amongst The Mustard 2

Cow Amongst the Mustard
Oil on Canvas
8"X8"
SOLD
A word about music. I would be completely adrift without it. This morning, Edward Aldwell playing J.S. Bach, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II. Calming, complex, deep, energizing all at once. Like a good, strong cup of aromatic coffee with sugar and heavy cream. Or a big blue/black cow in a soggy Spring Sonoma field surrounded by bright yellow mustard.

Cow Amongst the Mustard

Cow Amongst the Mustard
Oil on Wood Panel
6"X8"
Spring in Sonoma. There's nothing like it.

Cows on the Loose

Cows on the Loose
Oil on Canvas
8"X6"
As I said...loosening up with a few cows.

Cows and Eucalyptus 1,2 &3
3.5"X2.5"
Oil on Canvas
These are going to the Bolinas Museum Minature Show. Look for them there after November 15.

Pink Water Tank

Pink Water Tank 2
3"X2"
Oil on Wood

Pink Water Tank
3"X2"
Oil on Wood Panel

Mother and Child

Mother and Child
3.5"X2.5"
Oil on Canvas

Trio

Trio
4"X4"
Oil on Canvas